Kokanee

First sockeye of 2018 arrives at Stanley

The first sockeye of 2018 returned to the Redfish Lake Creek trap near Stanley on July 26. The first sockeye arrived on July 27 last year. 

The fish is among the 233 sockeye that have so far crossed Lower Granite Dam near Lewiston (through July 26), which is the last dam the fish cross before reaching Idaho.  

The 2018 sockeye run through Lower Granite has already topped last year’s total of 228 fish, which was the lowest return in a decade. Since 2008, sockeye returns over Lower Granite have averaged 1,115 fish with an annual range of 228 to a high of 2,786 in 2014. 

Lake Pend Oreille Walleye Update

There is a toothy new predator in northern Idaho’s largest lake. Walleye, which were essentially non-existent in the lake ten years ago, have become increasingly abundant, to the point where they are now a significant player in the fishery. Lake Pend Oreille has long been known for its trophy rainbow trout and bull trout, having produced world records for both species. The trophy fishery, and to a very large extent, the sport fishery in general, is built on a foundation of kokanee.

Payette Lake's fishing is at a crossroads, which way do anglers want it to go?

Managing with big, long-lived predators and a fluctuating prey species poses a big challenge for fisheries managers, and Payette Lake at McCall is the latest case where managers are asking anglers what they want. 

It's Still Ice Fishing Season!!

The days may be getting longer, but there’s still some great opportunity to get out ice fishing! Looking for something a little bit different through the ice? Check out Soldier’s Meadow Reservoir for some great kokanee action, or maybe head to Deer Creek Reservoir for Tiger Trout or Brook Trout. Regardless of where you go, we would like to remind everyone to be careful on the ice. Ice Fishing Safety Tips The warm temperatures earlier this month created some iffy ice conditions.

Biologists think they've found answers to low survival of sockeye salmon

Biologists think they’ve answered a nagging question about its relatively new sockeye hatchery in Springfield. The hatchery succeeded in raising lots of young sockeye, but the fish have survived poorly after being released to migrate to the Pacific. 

Sockeye return slightly exceeds expectations, but second-lowest in a decade

The run is well below last year's return of 595 fish, and the second-lowest in a decade. The 10-year average is 690 sockeye trapped annually in the Sawtooth Basin, which ranged from a high of 1,579 to a low of 91. 

Kokanee Salmon Arrive and Chinook Salmon are Spawning

Forty beautiful Kokanee salmon arrived at MK Nature Center yesterday and they have added a "splash" of color in the alpine lake.

Kokanee chronicle: sustaining Idaho's favorite land-locked salmon

Click this link or on the photo above for an interactive journey across Idaho to learn about the process of raising the next generation of kokanee in your favorite lake. 

Note! This story map needs Google Chrome or Safari browser to work properly

Two sockeye returned to Stanley Basin, the first of the 2017 run

Through Aug. 2, 225 sockeye have crossed Lower Granite Dam about 30 miles downstream from Lewiston. That’s the last dam salmon cross before reaching Idaho, and after crossing it, the fish still have to swim about 400 miles to return to their spawning grounds in the Stanley. 

Fishing at Priest Lake is at a crossroads

Fish and Game is hosting three public meetings in July about the future of fishing at Priest Lake,  as well as doing an anglers' survey and public opinion poll in late summer or fall.