Kokanee
Oncorhynchus nerka
The landlocked form of the sockeye salmon, the kokanee is a streamlined, silvery-blue plankton feeder that turns brilliant red at spawning. It supports hugely popular lake fisheries across the B.C. interior and is the key forage fish behind many trophy trout waters.
Open-water plankton feeder in cold interior lakes; spawns in tributary streams and lakeshore gravels in fall.
How to Catch Kokanee
Whether you're new to targeting Kokanee or refining your approach, success starts with matching your tactics to where the fish lives. Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) is typically found in lake water, so concentrate your effort where those conditions line up. Mature Kokanee average around 11 inches, which helps you choose the right line, lure size, and tackle for the fight.
Where to Find Kokanee in the USA & Canada
Kokanee is recorded across a range of North American waters, including spots in British Columbia, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Yukon. Browse the linked water guides below to see the specific lakes, rivers, and coastal waters where anglers report catching Kokanee, then plan a trip around the water closest to you.
Kokanee Fishing Regulations & Limits
Fishing rules for Kokanee vary by state and province. Before you head out, check the daily bag limits, minimum size limits, and open seasons that apply in your area. When FishFinder has matching records, the regulations link below takes you to the rules hub. Following local limits keeps Kokanee populations healthy for future seasons.
Related Water Guides for Kokanee
Explore these FishFinder water guides for places where Kokanee is recorded:
- Cowichan Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Great Central Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Sproat Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Harrison Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Shuswap Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Kamloops Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Nicola Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Kootenay Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Arrow Lakes — Kokanee fishing water
- Quesnel Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Chilko Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Stuart Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Francois Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Williston Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Okanagan Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Wood Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Kalamalka Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Lower Kathleen Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Blue Mesa Reservoir — Kokanee fishing water
- Lake Granby — Kokanee fishing water
- Ruedi Reservoir — Kokanee fishing water
- Vallecito Reservoir — Kokanee fishing water
- Eleven Mile Reservoir — Kokanee fishing water
- Twin Lakes — Kokanee fishing water
- West Hill Pond — Kokanee fishing water
- Lake Pend Oreille — Kokanee fishing water
- Priest Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Coeur d'Alene Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Dworshak Reservoir — Kokanee fishing water
- Lake Cascade — Kokanee fishing water
- Lake Koocanusa — Kokanee fishing water
- Lake Mary Ronan — Kokanee fishing water
- Georgetown Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Seeley Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Hauser Reservoir — Kokanee fishing water
- Holter Reservoir — Kokanee fishing water
- Lake Tahoe (Nevada) — Kokanee fishing water
- Navajo Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Heron Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- El Vado Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Eagle Nest Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Rio Chama — Kokanee fishing water
- Nantahala Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Detroit Reservoir — Kokanee fishing water
- East Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Lake Billy Chinook — Kokanee fishing water
- Odell Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Wallowa Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Strawberry Reservoir — Kokanee fishing water
- Flaming Gorge Reservoir — Kokanee fishing water
- Lake Roosevelt — Kokanee fishing water
- Banks Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Rufus Woods Lake — Kokanee fishing water
- Lake Chelan — Kokanee fishing water
- Lake Washington (Seattle) — Kokanee fishing water
- Lake Sammamish — Kokanee fishing water
- Jackson Lake (Wyoming) — Kokanee fishing water
- Fontenelle Reservoir — Kokanee fishing water
- Lake Hattie — Kokanee fishing water
- Palisades Reservoir (Wyoming) — Kokanee fishing water
- Granite Reservoir — Kokanee fishing water
Kokanee Regulations
Review current FishFinder regulation records before targeting Kokanee:
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of water is best for catching Kokanee?
Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) is typically found in lake water. Focus your effort where those conditions line up to improve your chances.
How big does Kokanee get?
Mature Kokanee average around 11 inches, though individual fish can run larger. Matching your line, lure size, and tackle to that range makes for a better fight and landing rate.
Where can I catch Kokanee in the USA and Canada?
Kokanee is reported across North American waters, including spots in British Columbia, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Yukon. Check the locations listed on this page to find the lakes, rivers, and coastal waters closest to you.
Do I need a fishing license to catch Kokanee?
A valid fishing license is required in most US states and Canadian provinces. Daily bag limits, minimum size limits, and open seasons for Kokanee vary by region, so review the regulations on this page and with your local wildlife authority before heading out.