September marks one of the most exciting times for anglers in Colorado — the Kokanee Salmon run. Also, now is the time to go fly fishing for these big, tough, delicious fish if you’ve never done it before. But where can you catch Kokanee Salmon in Colorado?.
Feel the thrill of battling a hard-fighting fish as you reel in tasty kokanee salmon on Colorado’s rivers and reservoirs. While not as famous as salmon runs out West, Colorado’s kokanee salmon provide plentiful opportunities for anglers. Read on to learn all about kokanee salmon fishing and the top spots to catch these fish in the Centennial State.
What are Kokanee Salmon?
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Kokanee salmon are a smaller landlocked version of sockeye salmon that live in lakes and spawn in tributaries
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Native to western North America, they were introduced to Colorado in the 1940s and took hold in reservoirs.
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Adults reach 10-30 inches long and weigh 2-5 pounds, Their bright red spawning colors have earned them the nickname “shimmering beauties”
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Kokanees have a four-year lifecycle. After spawning they quickly die, unlike other trout and salmon species
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Popular game fish, they put up a strong fight on light tackle. Kokanee meat is delicious smoked or grilled.
When to Catch Kokanee Salmon in Colorado
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Late summer through fall is prime kokanee fishing, as declining reservoir levels trigger the urge to spawn.
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Kokanees start migrating upstream in August, with runs peaking in September and October. Timeframes depend on water temperatures and flows.
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The exact times of the runs can be found in fishing reports or by calling fly shops close to your destination. Be flexible as conditions can change.
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Once spawning ends, dead and dying kokanee litter streams. The run is over as quickly as it started.
Where to Catch Kokanees in Colorado
Here are top rivers and reservoirs to target kokanee salmon:
Blue River
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Flowing out of Dillon Reservoir, the Blue churns with feisty kokanee in fall seeking upstream spawning areas.
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Wade or float fish the public access stretch from Green Mountain Reservoir dam to the McCullough Gulch trailhead.
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Try beadhead nymphs, small streamers, and egg patterns. Watch for rolling fish.
Williams Fork Reservoir
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This 1,770-acre reservoir in Grand County offers great bank fishing access and a strong kokanee population.
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The inlet and Pumphouse area see salmon runs starting mid-August. Boat fishing is very productive.
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Williams Fork’s scenic setting and plentiful kokanee make it a top pick for salmon anglers.
Gunnison River
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The Gunnison, from Almont to Pleasure Park, witnesses an epic kokanee migration starting late August.
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Drifting this stretch yields nonstop salmon action. Nymphs and streamers take fish.
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Nearby Taylor River also has great kokanee fishing, especially the canyon stretch downstream from Taylor Park Reservoir.
South Platte River
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The South Platte between Spinney Mountain Reservoir and Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir contains Colorado’s famous “Dream Stream” stretch.
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Kokanees arrive in September, mingling with huge trout. Sight fish for salmon or use streamer tactics.
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This Gold Medal fishery sees heavy pressure. Adjust tactics for picky fish.
Tips and Tactics for Kokanee Success
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Use 4-6 lb. leaders and tippets. Kokanees have good vision and spook easily in shallow water.
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Prioritize fluorescents like orange, pink, and chartreuse in flies and lures to attract their attention.
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Fish early mornings and late evenings when salmon are most active. Kokanee fishing often turns on at dusk.
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Target deeper pools, runs, eddies, and channels where salmon hold and rest during their strenuous spawning journey.
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If you see rolling fish, get your fly or lure in the strike zone quick! Use streamers, egg flies, or casting spoons.
Keeping Your Catch
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Kokanees make excellent table fare, though theirtexture becomes mushy once they start spawning.
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Eat kokanee within a day or two. Afterwards, can, pickle, or smoke the meat. Grill or pan-fry kokanee just like trout.
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Check regulations, but you can usually keep up to 10 kokanee per day on many waters. Strict limits protect populations.
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Release any salmon with faded color or white-tinged meat – signs they are in spawn decline.
Enjoy an Epic Battle
A hook-up with a kokanee salmon on a fly or spinning rod is worth traveling for. Pound for pound, these fish punch far above their weight class. Set your sights on Colorado’s kokanee streams and reservoirs this fall for a shot at the hard-fighting, shimmering salmon. Just be ready for a wrist-testing battle when you finally yell “Fish on!”
Key Facts on Kokanee Salmon Fishing in Colorado:
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Kokanees are landlocked sockeye salmon introduced to reservoirs in 1940s
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Adults reach 10-30 inches long; popular sport fish with excellent meat
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Peak fishing is August – October during spawning migrations
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Top spots include Blue River, Williams Fork, Gunnison and S. Platte rivers
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Use light tackle; prioritize bright flies and lures to attract kokanee
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Sight fish for rolling salmon; target pools and channels salmon hold in
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Eat fresh kokanee within two days or preserve via canning, pickling, smoking
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Limit is around 10 fish per day; release decaying salmon nearing spawn demise
The Taylor River
The Taylor River is a tailwater that flows from Taylor Reservoir down Taylor Canyon and into the Gunnison. It has 11 miles of public access. It is a beautiful stretch of water, full of big trout and plentiful Kokanee.
I’ve caught more Kokanee in the Taylor River than in any of the other rivers in this article put together. Now, I’m not going to argue with that. It could be because my dad and I take a trip to the Taylor every year during the salmon run, or it could be because there are more Kokanee.
If you want to catch Kokanee, you need to fish the Taylor in early Fall. But if you don’t find a nice group of salmon spawning, you’ll almost certainly catch a huge rainbow. So, really, you win either way.
I think you should stay at the Three Rivers Resort. If you want to really push yourself, you should fish the Taylor at night. I could tell you stories about how many fish I caught fly fishing at night on the Taylor with only my headlamp to light my way, but the numbers are so huge that you probably wouldn’t believe me. You’re better off just trying it for yourself.
The East River
The East River also flows into the Gunnison, and therefore becomes an off-chute of the aforementioned salmon run. The East River does tend to be a little low in September, though, so it can be hit or miss.
You might get lucky and catch a lot of Kokanee if you happen to be on the East during a high-water year.
How to CATCH KOKANEE SALMON from Shore Lake Fishing
FAQ
Are there any salmon in Colorado?
Is salmon snagging legal in Colorado?
How many salmon can you keep in Colorado?
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TYPE OF FISH
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DAILY BAG LIMIT
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POSSESSION LIMIT
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TROUT, ARCTIC CHAR, GRAYLING, SALMON, MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH (except kokanee) in aggregate*
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4
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8
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Trout include brook, brown, cutbow, cutthroat, golden, lake, rainbow, splake and tiger trout
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BROOK TROUT 8 inches long or less (in addition to trout limit above)
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10
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10
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Can you catch salmon in the Colorado River?
Can salmon spawn in Colorado?
They cannot spawn in Colorado, so populations of salmon are replenished by stocking. Two types of Pacific salmon are stocked in lakes and streams. They are the kokanee and the chinook salmon. Colorado is not typically known for its salmon fishing opportunities, as it is a landlocked state without direct access to the ocean.
Are there salmon in Colorado?
However, there are certain instances where salmon can be found in Colorado’s waters due to stocking efforts and unique circumstances. Kokanee salmon, a landlocked form of sockeye salmon, can be found in several reservoirs and lakes in Colorado. These fish are prized for their brilliant red color and tasty flesh.
Can you catch kokanee salmon in Colorado?
The blessing and the curse about the Blue River is how close it is to Denver. Unlike the Gunnison, the Taylor, and the East River, it is only about 2 hours from the city. But, like I said, that can make for a crowded fishing trip, and leader-shy fish. If you want to catch Kokanee Salmon in Colorado, you just need to know where to look.
What types of salmon are stocked in Colorado?
Guide to fishing for Atlantic (landlocked) salmon, chinook and kokanee salmon. Colorado offers limited salmon fishing. They cannot spawn in Colorado, so populations of salmon are replenished by stocking. Two types of Pacific salmon are stocked in lakes and streams. They are the kokanee and the chinook salmon.