Coeur d'Alene Kokanee Fishery Closed

Record low numbers of kokanee in Coeur d'Alene Lake have prompted Idaho Fish and Game officials to close the lake to kokanee fishing, effective immediately, to protect future fishing opportunities. Summer population estimates showed only 23,200 mature kokanee in the lake and another 66,700 two-year-old fish that would be next year's spawners. Normally kokanee number several hundred thousand mature fish and more than a million two-year-old fish during the July trawl estimate. Two options were considered: ¥ An immediate closure of the kokanee fishery lake wide. ¥ A partial closure of the lake. Because kokanee are especially vulnerable to fishing pressure in the fall, little time was available for public comment. Of 50 anglers who commented on the proposals, 74 percent supported a closure and 66 percent favored a complete closure of the kokanee fishery lakewide. Three factors have lead to the record low numbers of kokanee in Coeur d'Alene Lake. Initially, record floods in 1996-1997 flushed many fish out of the lake. Reduced numbers of kokanee resulted in a dramatic increase in size from 10 - 11 inches to 14 - 16-plus inches. Increased kokanee size attracted more anglers and harvest increased. Coeur d'Alene Lake was the number one fishery in the state in 2003 largely because of the kokanee fishery. Chinook numbers have also increased in recent years. From 1998 to 2001 the average number of wild and hatchery Chinook combined was about 29,000 fish per year. From 2002 to 2006 the number of Chinook increased to 69,000 per year. Predation on young kokanee increased. Coeur d'Alene kokanee are expected to bounce back quickly. Numbers of kokanee fry and one-year old fish have been near normal.