I keep seeing kokanee where I am fishing for trout this time of year. They are salmon and salmon season is over, but I wonder if there is a special rule about kokanee.

This is indeed about the time of year you may see kokanee start heading up some of our trout steams from lakes and reservoirs. You're right, they are salmon, but being a landlocked variety, fishing for kokanee is not affected by rules for salmon fishing. In most areas kokanee will be counted in your trout limit, but there are exceptions in the rules, so read your rulebook on the specific area you are fishing. Remember, game fish must be hooked in the mouth or head. Not so long ago snagging kokanee was allowed in Idaho, but that is true no longer, and intentional foul-hooking can bring you a ticket.