Other names: Red salmon, Blueback salmon, Sockeye salmon
The kokanee salmon, or Oncorhynchus nerka, is a species of Pacific salmon known for its bright red spawning coloration. It is native to the North Pacific and is highly valued in commercial and recreational fisheries. This species migrates from freshwater rivers to the ocean and back, with adults returning to their natal streams to spawn and die.
Other names
Red salmon, Blueback salmon, Sockeye salmon
Length
~30" (max 84)
Weight
~2" (max 7)
Water
Salt, brackish, fresh
Water Temp
8-12° F
Depth
40-60 ft
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Mack’s Lure Smile Blade Kokanee Hoochie
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MaggotsSorry. Regulation data is empty
Inhabits both freshwater and marine environments
Juveniles grow in lakes, while adults migrate to the open ocean
Feeds on plankton, crustaceans, and small fish
During spawning, returns to freshwater streams, preferring gravel beds for nesting
Spawning occurs in freshwater rivers and lakes, typically in late summer
Females create redds (nests) in gravel beds to lay eggs
Eggs hatch into alevins, which develop into fry and migrate to lakes
After spending time in lakes, juveniles migrate to the ocean, returning to freshwater as mature adults to complete their life cycle
