Buy your gear for Kokanee fishing

The warmer weather is finally here,and to anglers that means it's Kokanee fishing.

With Kokanee fisheries scattered across the west,oppurtunities abound for all to experience catching these game fish.

Kokanee are land locked Salmon (Sockeye) and are found in many lakes and reservoirs across the west.Their native range spans from the Columbia River basin to Akaska and includes Idaho,Montana and a few other western states.They are one of the most colorful game fish to catch.

They have bright silver sides,blue-green backs and lack spots entirely.

In the fall as kokanee prepare to spawn,they turn bright red with green heads.

The males develope humped backs and a pointed snout with prominent teeth.

Kokanee migrate into rivers ans streams to spawn,but some will spawn in a gravelly lake shoreelines.

They prefer cold water temperatures in the 50* to 60* Range.They can be found near the surface in early summer,but move into deeper water as the temps.rise.They will be found at 30 to 60 feet and deeper as the water warms.They feed on Zooplankton.These are microscopic invertibraes that drift in the water columns.

Kokannee are caught mainly by trolling boats and you are better off  if you buy a depth finder for trolling these fish,as they are located in schools.They will be found around large points,across the face of dams and at the mouth of a spawning area.

Lures include a variety of spinners and spoons in red,pinks and flourescent oranges.

Your tackle shop will help you buy the lure for the waters you are fishing.

The best ways to catch Kokannee are monitoring your depths and speeds.

Getting the lure to the depth where the fish are,which means using the right weights to get your bait down there where the fish are.

Starting out with a speed of 1 to 1.3 miles an hour is a good place to start,.

kokanees are prized by fishers for their fighting ability and they make good table fare.

Once you catch a Kokanee you will see why they are so popular among fishermen.

Good luck fishing;