How To Catch Kokanee

Facts about catching kokanee

Here are some basic facts about Kokes.

For some, this list will be a refresher. Others may have an "A-HA" moment. Others may shout B.S.

Either way, we hope that you will post a response to a fact on the list.

The post link is at the bottom of the list.

Kokanee eat mostly Zooplankton - which is light sensitive, as the sun goes higher they go deeper and the Kokanee follow along.

Kokanee’s biology works best between 50F-54F - finding the right water temp within the water column will help you locate more fish. Check out our thermometer downrigger weight.
Where the colder deeper lake water meets the warmer from the surface is the Thermocline - in summer Kokes hang in the Thermocline, fishing just above this area will present your lure to more fish
Trolling - generally, slower is better with a little under 1 MPH to a little over 1.4 MPH usually the most effective - try not to stay steady but vary your speed
Trolling - steer in a lazy S pattern - arrows should be straight, not trolling patterns
Attraction - use the color and flash of dodgers to draw attention to your bait
Strike - use the action and vibration of the lure to trigger the strike
Use Dodgers (which wobble), not Flashers (which rotate) - the more intense vibration and flash of a Flasher remind Kokes of predators - you want to bring 'em in, not scare 'em off
Change the action of a dodger by holding the ends and give 'em a slow, easy bend
Kokes are a salmonoid which use the sense of smell - rub anise oil on your hands before baiting up
Corn: Point the smaller open end to where you came from, so the scent trail will lead to where you are
Leaders - generally keep 'em shorter in the summer which gives a quicker back and forth action
Depth - the deeper, the less light - so reds and pinks up high, purples and blues down low
UV and GLO - UV light is the last to fade out at low depth - GLO requires time in the sun or a LED flashlight to charge and show the GLO
Rods - light action with a flexible tip for that nice horseshoe bend while trolling, quick snappy hook setting and give when bringing the fish in
Reels - casting style, not spinning - well maintained with smooth drags - back off the drags at end of the day
In the summer and late spring, start out with a leader that is 2 to 2.5 times the length of the dodger.
In the early spring start out with a leader that is 2.5 to 3 times the length of the dodger.