UTERKokanee salmon fishing in Idaho freshwater
In Idaho 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. July: Dworshak and Pend Oreille kokanee.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Kokanee salmon in Idaho freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilArriving
- MayPeak
- JunePeak
- JulyPeakDworshak and Pend Oreille kokanee.
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberSpawning
- OctoberSpawning
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish kokanee salmon near Henry's Fork, South Fork Snake, Lake Pend Oreille
Blue-ribbon trout rivers, Pend Oreille's giant lake trout and kokanee, the Clearwater's B-run steelhead, Cascade's jumbo perch, and the Snake through Hells Canyon for smallmouth and sturgeon.
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 Idaho 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. July: Dworshak and Pend Oreille kokanee.
Where do kokanee salmon hold in Idaho freshwater?
Look on reservoir, lake — around Henry's Fork, South Fork Snake, Lake Pend Oreille, Clearwater River, Lake Cascade, Snake River.
What is the best bait for kokanee salmon in Idaho 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 Idaho freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and change — read the current rule at https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/rules before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://idfg.idaho.gov/licenses.
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All about kokanee salmon · Idaho fresh water, the whole year