Kokanee salmon are a non-migrating landlocked form of sockeye salmon. They’re largely plankton eaters, thriving when the plankton populations are robust and struggling when the plankton populations are thinner. Like other salmon, kokanee live about 3-5 years and die after spawning, creating a relatively short-lived and cyclical population.
Kokanee salmon are a prized catch for Idaho fisherman, often considered one of the tastiest in the state. While Idahoans like when the kokanee populations are robust, managing and stocking the population is a very complex task for Idaho Fish and Game. Population numbers shift dramatically and a single small environmental change can cause the loss of an entire generation of young kokanee.
Fortunately Idaho Fish and Game is taking step after step to ensure the populations remain as healthy as possible, using hatcheries to grow and release the fish into the wild.
