Species
Kokanee Salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka · family Salmonidae
Live · updated
Landlocked sockeye salmon — the marquee coldwater reservoir fishery of the Mountain West. A plankton feeder that suspends along the thermocline and is caught by downrigger trolling with squids and dodgers spring through fall, and through the ice in winter. The fall spawning run turns the fish brilliant red and triggers snagging seasons on designated waters; prized as table fare. In Colorado, Blue Mesa is the flagship water, with Dillon and Granby also producing.
Preferred conditions
- Water temp
- 45–59°F (ideal 53°F)
- Tide
- either
- Moon
- either
- Depth
- 20–120 ft
- Active months
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Best kokanee salmon conditions today
Dillon Reservoir
Lake Granby
Georgetown Lake
Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Strawberry Reservoir
Lake Coeur d’Alene
Navajo Lake
Lake Tahoe (Nevada)
Blue Mesa Reservoir
No locations match that filter.
Regulations by jurisdiction
NTCO
non tidal
- Creel
- 10
Statewide: 10/day, 10 in possession (by angling, snagging, or archery). No minimum size. Snagging is allowed only on designated waters during the fall spawning run — CPW sets each water’s dates (commonly Sept 1–Jan 31; Blue Mesa Reservoir Nov 1–Dec 31). Confirm the water-specific snagging dates before fishing.
Source · verified 2026-06-01
NTMTW
non tidal
- Creel
- 20
Western District: 20 kokanee daily, 40 in possession.
Source · verified 2026-06-01
NTUT
non tidal
- Creel
- 4
Utah kokanee: 4/day statewide; Flaming Gorge is 3/day. Snagging rules and fall spawning-run closures apply on many waters — confirm before keeping any.
Source · verified 2026-06-03
Waters with special regulations in this jurisdiction
NTID
non tidal
- Creel
- 15
Idaho kokanee: 15/day on Coeur d'Alene Lake and many panhandle waters (limits vary by water).
Source · verified 2026-06-03
NTNM
non tidal
- Creel
- 12
New Mexico: 12 kokanee/day during the open season (snagging allowed on designated waters in the fall run).
Source · verified 2026-06-03
NTNV
non tidal
- Creel
- 5
Nevada: kokanee count within the statewide 5-trout daily limit (Lake Tahoe and western-region waters).
Source · verified 2026-06-03