UTERKokanee salmon fishing in California freshwater
In California freshwater, kokanee salmon peak May–October and are around year-round, spawning in September–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Bullards Bar, Whiskeytown and Stampede.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Kokanee salmon in California freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilArriving
- MayPeak
- JunePeakBullards Bar, Whiskeytown and Stampede.
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberSpawning
- OctoberSpawning
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish kokanee salmon near Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, Clear Lake, Lake Oroville
The Delta's tule-lined sloughs, Clear Lake's trophy bass, the foothill spotted-bass reservoirs, the Sacramento's salmon and striper runs, the Sierra's trout streams and high lakes, and the southern reservoirs' Florida-strain giants.
What to use for kokanee salmon
- Wax wormsOne or two on a tiny ice jig or a #10 hook for bluegill, perch and crappie, under the ice or a float.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 40–62°F water, best at 48–56°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch kokanee salmon in California freshwater?
Peak season is May–October, with fish spawning in September–October (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Kokanee salmon are here year-round. June: Bullards Bar, Whiskeytown and Stampede.
Where do kokanee salmon hold in California freshwater?
Look on reservoir, lake — around Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, Clear Lake, Lake Oroville, Bullards Bar, Lake Shasta, Eastern Sierra.
What is the best bait for kokanee salmon in California freshwater?
Live bait: wax worms. Wax worms: One or two on a tiny ice jig or a #10 hook for bluegill, perch and crappie, under the ice or a float. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for kokanee salmon in California freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing.
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All about kokanee salmon · California fresh water, the whole year