How to Catch Kokanee Salmon from Shore: The Complete Guide

We have all had to start somewhere. Some people reading this may be experienced fisherman wanting to learn how to fish for Kokanee. Some people may have fished for Kokanee for a while but want to know what gear and methods worked for someone else. Or you may be just starting out. What I know about fishing comes from reading up on it, making mistakes, and getting great tips from other fisherman. I always enjoy fishing with other fisherman to see how they fish. I have learned that just because someone does things different than I may, doesnt mean it won’t work. I believe there is no right or wrong way to catch Kokanee – just “best practices”. By writing this guide, I hope to share some of the “best practices” that have worked for me when I’ve been Kokanee fishing. These tips can help you get started or improve your fishing skills. Note: All of the products I list below are ones I use myself or have used in the past. There may be better or equal options out there, but I’m only going to talk about the ones I know for sure.

To help understand how to catch Kokanee lets start with a biology lesson. In the video below, I talk about the lifecycle of Kokanee Salmon in Strawberry Reservoir, UT. However, the general rules are the same for all Kokanee salmon.

Kokanee salmon are a popular freshwater game fish found in lakes and reservoirs across North America. While often caught by boat anglers, kokanee can also be caught from shore for those without a boat. With the right gear, technique, and knowledge of kokanee behavior, shore fishing for these landlocked salmon can be extremely rewarding.

Best Lures for Kokanee from Shore

When shore fishing for kokanee salmon, lure choice is critical to success. Of all the various lures used to catch kokanee from shore, a few stand out as top producers

Jake’s Spin-a-Lures – Hands down one of the best lures for kokanee from shore is a Jake’s Spin-a-Lure I’ve seen countless kokanee caught on these lures by shore anglers across North America The spinning and flashing action of this lure perfectly mimics injured baitfish and triggers savage strikes from kokanee. They come in a variety of colors, but orange, pink, and chartreuse are top choices.
Wedding Rings: Kokanee that live near the shore can also be caught with a wedding ring spinner tipped with a piece of worm. Kokanee can’t stay away from the flashing metal blade and the smell of the worm. Gold, silver, and copper blades in size 0 or 00 work best.
A small leadhead jig tipped with a piece of worm is a great lure to cast from shore. These jigs weigh between 1/8 and 1/4 ounce. Short casts and vertical jigging are effective methods. Bright fluorescent colors like pink, orange, and chartreuse work best.
Spoons – Small casting spoons like those from Luhr Jensen and Krocodile also produce kokanee from shore. The wobbling action of a spoon imitates injured baitfish. Go with spoons in the 1/4 to 3/8 ounce range.

Proven Techniques for Shore Fishing

While having the right lure is critical, how you fish those lures is also important when targeting kokanee from shore. Here are the best techniques to catch kokanee without a boat:

Pier Target areas off the end of the pier and along the sides. Let lures and bait sink to the depths where kokanee are suspended.
Cast & Retrieve – When fishing from shore, cast lures like spinners, spoons, and jigs out and retrieve back. Vary retrieve speed until you get bit. Work the lures through prime areas.
Vertical Jig – Vertical jigging small jigs or other lures right below you is deadly. Use your rod to lift the lure a foot or two up before letting it flutter back down. Hang close to depths of 10-20ft.
Drift Fishing – When fishing from shore, let the wind/current slowly drift your bait or lure along structure, drop-offs, weed beds, etc. Use just enough weight to drift vertically.
Still Fishing – When fishing from shore, a worm below a bobber or baited hooks on the bottom can be fished effectively. Target areas like creek inflows and submerged structure.

Where to Find Kokanee from Shore

Locating fish and understanding their behavior is key to shore fishing success. Look for these high-percentage areas when fishing from shore:

Inflows & Outflows – Creek channels, stream inflows, and dam outflows attract baitfish and kokanee. Fish where currents interact with shorelines.
Points & Shoals – Inside turns, points of land, and shallow shoal areas are prime spots. Use lures and bait near the bottom.
Drop-Offs – Underwater drop-offs and ledges adjacent to deep water are kokanee magnets. Pitch your presentations close to shore over deeper water.
Docks & Piers – Fishing docks/piers provide access to deeper main lake water. Fish all around the structure.
Weed Edges – Find weed lines adjacent to deep water. Kokanee cruise these edges looking for food. Troll or cast parallel to the weed growth.

Best Times to Target Kokanee from Shore

Focus your shore fishing efforts during the prime times when kokanee are most active in shallow areas:

Low Light Periods – Kokanee move shallow to feed around dawn and dusk. Shore fishing is most productive during these low light periods.
Overcast Days – When cloud cover reduces sunlight penetration, kokanee feel more comfortable feeding in shallow shoreline areas.
All Day During Fall – In the fall when water begins cooling, kokanee frequently feed shallow all day making shore fishing more productive.
Night Fishing – After dark, kokanee move extremely shallow to feed. Shore fishing under lights or docks can be highly effective.

Helpful Tips & Tricks

Follow these key tips to maximize your success shore fishing for kokanee:

Use light line in the 2-6lb range so lures and bait present naturally. Fluorocarbon line is ideal.
Keep lures and presentations small, mimicking natural forage like insects, plankton and baitfish.
Vary retrieves until you find the speed kokanee want on a given day.
Downsize gear if needed. Kokanee have soft mouths and light rods and drags help avoid pulling hooks.
Be mobile. Don’t be afraid to move spots and cover water to stay on active fish.

With the right approach, shore-based anglers can enjoy stellar kokanee salmon fishing without a boat. Carry an arsenal of proven lures, know where and when to find fish, and use techniques that cover water to make the most of every shore fishing opportunity. Follow the tips outlined here and you’ll be hooked up with kokanee in no time!

how to catch kokanee salmon from shore

Do I Need a Net?

A good net is an invaluable tool for Kokanee fishing. Kokanee tend to turn into acrobats as you get them close to the boat. Many a fish have been lost in the netting process. A net with a long handle is the best way to catch them at the start of their acrobatic routine. I have been using an EGO Slider Net that has an extendable handle. Also, get one with rubber netting. It’s better for the fish and your hooks won’t get caught in it as easily.

Along with a net another item I would consider essential is a pair of pliers or forceps. Most Kokanee lures are tied with 2 hooks. Kokanee are at the top of their acrobatic game when you need to take the hooks out of the fish you caught with a net. I have seen many people, including myself, get a hook stuck in their hand while trying to free a fish that is twisting around. I always recommend using forceps or pliers to remove hooks.

Do I Need a Boat?

Kokanee will primarily be in deeper parts of the lake. During the main summer season in Utah, from May to August, I mostly fish for them in water between 25 and 45 feet deep. In the early spring or winter, I have also found them in the top 10-15ft of water. Because of this, you need a boat or some other way to float to catch them, along with a way to set the depth of your lure. One time they don’t do this is during the spawn in the fall, when they move closer to the shore and into river inlets along the gravel beds. During these few weeks they can be caught from the shore. Depending on where you live, they may be off limits from keeping during the spawn. In Utah they are off limits from Sept 10th to the end of November (as of 2021). You can also catch them through the ice in the wintertime.

So, do you need a boat? Yes, if you want to catch Kokanee all summer long. But that boat could be a kayak, a float tube or a raft. For trolling (my preferred method) you need to be able to consistently move at about 1. 2-1. 8 mph either from a motor or human power. If you are in a smaller vessel, make sure you watch weather conditions. Kokanee are usually in the middle of the lake, and you don’t want to get lost or hurt if the weather changes quickly. There are several lakes that have Kokanee that are smaller and “wakeless only”. These are the ideal lakes to target Kokanee on if you have a smaller vessel.

For larger lakes I recommend a larger boat for safety. If you are boat shopping, I would recommend looking for something in the 18 ft+ range. I also think you should get an outboard motor so you can use it all year without having to worry about winterizing it like you do with an inboard.

How to CATCH KOKANEE SALMON from Shore Lake Fishing

FAQ

What is the best bait for kokanee salmon?

Popular Kokanee baits are Pink Maggots (real or synthetic), dyed-cured shrimp and dyed-cured White Shoepeg Corn. Be sure not to put too much bait on the hook as it will take away from the lure’s action. Once piece of corn or 2 small maggots on each hook is adequate.

What is the best way to catch kokanee?

Spinner rigs, spoons, and dodgers are all effective baits, but are normally connected to a heavier fluorocarbon leader to prevent bite-offs from the toothy critters. Although some anglers chase Kokanee salmon during their spawning run with fly fishing gear, the most effective way to catch kokanee salmon is by trolling.

What is the best rig for kokanee?

The most common kokanee setup- and in my experience, the most effective- is an inline flasher followed by a small lure tipped with bait. The flashers are not required, but they will definitely improve your likelihood of catching kokanee. Traditional flashers are heavy but very effective.

What is the best time of day to fish for kokanee?

If it is cloudy and a bit breezy, the bite usually lasts longer into the morning. Kokanee have huge eyes and are light sensitive- the darker the day usually means a better biting day. A few more tips? After the morning bite slows down, wait for the mid day/afternoon wind to chop up the water.