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Stocking schedule by species

Kokanee Salmon stocking schedule — all states.

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Kokanee are landlocked sockeye salmon stocked primarily in deep, cold western reservoirs and lakes. Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Washington, and California maintain the largest programs. Stocked kokanee disperse to open water and feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates. They mature in 3–4 years, spawn (and die) in tributaries each fall.

National calendar

Typical kokanee salmon stocking calendar.

Across the 12 states that stock kokanee salmon, the typical stocking months are below. Specific dates and waters vary by state — consult each agency report.

JanJan — no stocking Kokanee Salmon typical size: 2–3 inch fingerlingFebFeb — no stocking Kokanee Salmon typical size: 2–3 inch fingerlingMarMar — moderate stocking Kokanee Salmon typical size: 2–3 inch fingerlingAprApr — moderate stocking Kokanee Salmon typical size: 2–3 inch fingerlingMayMay — moderate stocking Kokanee Salmon typical size: 2–3 inch fingerlingJunJun — no stocking Kokanee Salmon typical size: 2–3 inch fingerlingJulJul — no stocking Kokanee Salmon typical size: 2–3 inch fingerlingAugAug — no stocking Kokanee Salmon typical size: 2–3 inch fingerlingSepSep — no stocking Kokanee Salmon typical size: 2–3 inch fingerlingOctOct — no stocking Kokanee Salmon typical size: 2–3 inch fingerlingNovNov — no stocking Kokanee Salmon typical size: 2–3 inch fingerlingDecDec — no stocking Kokanee Salmon typical size: 2–3 inch fingerling
Typical stocking size2–3 inch fingerling
Stocking water temperature38–60°F

Targeting

Newly-stocked kokanee salmon.

Kokanee are pelagic plankton feeders — small spoons, dodgers, and squid hooks trolled slowly at thermocline depth produce. They hit best in early morning and at sunset. The fall spawning run brings fish to tributary mouths in October.

lakesreservoirs

States

That stock kokanee salmon.

7 states have notable kokanee salmon stocking programs. Click through for the state-specific schedule and official agency report.

Kokanee Salmon stocking alerts — your home water.

Bield Fish parses agency stocking reports across states and pushes alerts when kokanee salmon hit your saved waters.

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