The Outdoor Line Forum

I'm officially kicking off The NW Kokanee Zone Over the next several weeks, I will begin to build information from the Northwest, for the Northwest. I'm putting out the call to all you Kokanee fishermen and ladies, to get involved. Let’s face it, the Kokes are just around the corner. I know the Springer thing will be huge and I can’t wait. I also plan to get my share of Summer Runs as well; bring on the coon shrimp....
That being said, there are plenty of guys who fish Kokes. At The OUTDOOR LINE we are making Kokanee a part of our weekly program. This year I want to involve our NW fishermen. This includes Washington, Oregon, & Idaho. I want to list and review the top 15 Kokanee Destinations throughout the Northwest. This will be based on the folks out doing the Kokanee grind throughout the season. I will definitely get my time on the water as well, but I want to hear from you guys. Locations, which we will rate 1 thru 15, go-to methods of course and tips for beginners. More to come, for now get involved and get the information flowing. Oh yes, we'll have plenty of Kokanee Swag to give-away over the next several months...
MD

I guess Ill get it started with a question. Never fished for kokanee a day in my life. But have definitely seen and heard the popularity for them. I personally like to fish for anything thats a line screamer and from what ive seen kokanee isnt much for size. So what is it? Eat good? Fun to catch? Easy to catch? I guess another big reason ive never fished for them is as far as I know not much for opportunity over here in kitsap.

Kokanee are gaining in popularity for a number of reasons. I think the biggest reason would simply be that it truly can be a family fishery. Also, the time of year in the heart of the season results in very nice days, "weather wise" out on the water.
Don't be miss-lead, they are not as easy to catch all the time. Some days guys whack and stack, other days it's tough to find just a couple. There are many variables, weather, water temp which is a huge factor by the way. How about choosing which color to use on your lures and dodgers/flashers, depending on time of day and light level. What about water turbidity??
The thrill of the fight is also more rewarding then most would believe. Kokanee have very soft mouths, so you gear up accordingly. That is to say a very soft and forgiving rod with a very consistent slow parabolic bend. A common size rod would be a casting rod 4 to 8lb. 7' to 7'6". The veteran Koke Killers usually prefer fiberglass over graphite.
Barely scratching the surface here, so much info to come...
Good questions, keep'em comin....

MD

Brandon -
Careful with the kokanee - they can be adictive. The fishing can be pretty straight forward - usually some sort of attractor (4/0 dodgers, sling blades, etc) and wedding ring spinners, hoochies, etc as lure. Most often the hooks are baited with shoe peg corn or other bait. Downriggers are a big aid and allow the fish to show their best once they are hooked. In most lakes they typcially are in that 10 to 14 inch range though large in some lakes and smaller in others. Usually there are one or more kokanee lakes in most areas of the State. In your area you might want to check out Summit, Cushman, Sutherland and American as well as several smaller waters.

They are excellent eating. I like to smoke most of my catch though the larger fish often end up on the grill. The only salmon/steelhead/trout that I eat that tops kokanee on the table is a Columbia River spring Chinook.

There are lots of sites and sources of more detailed info on the "how tos" for kokanee. I sure that medium D and others here can help with more details.

Tight lines
Curt

They are excellent eating. I like to smoke most of my catch though the larger fish often end up on the grill. The only salmon/steelhead/trout that I eat that tops kokanee on the table is a Columbia River spring Chinook.

Yep I agree. When nothing else is going on give it a try. All fishing is fun.

just be sure to mention Lake Stevens is going to suck this year. No one should go to Lake Stevens. Everyone should go down to American Lake

t_dub wrote:just be sure to mention Lake Stevens is going to suck this year. No one should go to Lake Stevens. Everyone should go down to American Lake

EXACTLY Lake Stevens will be no good!

That is a nice pile of kokonuts. But there are no blue and brown kokanee in that cooler.

[quote by Brandon » Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:47 pm
I guess Ill get it started with a question. Never fished for kokanee a day in my life. But have definitely seen and heard the popularity for them. I personally like to fish for anything thats a line screamer and from what ive seen kokanee isnt much for size. So what is it? Eat good? Fun to catch? Easy to catch? I guess another big reason ive never fished for them is as far as I know not much for opportunity over here in kitsap.][/quote]

Brandon,
Most people who are starting out koke fishing use what they have. So we are talking short ultra light spinning rod's. And they do work ok. Then when the addiction kicks in the upgrades are going to happen. For the guys I fish with, a ultra light is closer to a meat rod! There a lots of koke rod's made now days. I prefer using a 7' super ultra light, and when it's loaded look's like this:


And when fighting a koke it looks look's this:


And yes they eat good, are fun to catch, and someday's they are easy to get!

Just think of them as sockeye "blackmouth"...
I'm hitting Stevens this year and I may even hit Lake Shannon.
They taste great!
The water is warming up boys... It's almost time!