redrider
Member
I'm wondering if there is a size limit or taken limit on the Chinook ? Same limit as trout ?
2013-2016 Idaho Kokanee Fishing Reports Quick Links
- Thread starter sawtooth
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Kodiak1 received this note from IDFG. With permission, I have copied it from another forum:
"I wanted to apologize for the incorrect information I provided to you regarding your question about Chinook in Anderson Ranch Reservoir. The correct information is a follows:
The Chinook were stocked to take advantage of a large kokanee population as well as to reestablish a fishing opportunity once found in Anderson Ranch Reservoir.
We understand there is confusion regarding the current Chinook rules on Anderson Ranch Reservoir. The reason they are not addressed in the rules is that the recent stocking event occurred during the current 3-year rules cycle – which was published prior to the stocking event. Legally, Chinook fall under “other fish species” which do not have length, daily bag, or possession limits. Our hope is that folks would consider reasonable harvest – suggesting they consider Chinook as part of the general trout limit at Anderson Ranch Reservoir.
It is our intent to address Chinook harvest rules during this rule cycle. We have brought it up under the current rule scoping process and are reviewing public comments. Ultimately, Chinook fishing rules will be established Jan 1, 2016 following Commission approval.
Again, I am sorry if the incorrect information caused any inconvenience.
Donna Conrad
Customer Service Representative
Idaho Department of Fish & Game"
I hope people respond appropriately. Good publicity for our sport is always a plus.
Physion
"I wanted to apologize for the incorrect information I provided to you regarding your question about Chinook in Anderson Ranch Reservoir. The correct information is a follows:
The Chinook were stocked to take advantage of a large kokanee population as well as to reestablish a fishing opportunity once found in Anderson Ranch Reservoir.
We understand there is confusion regarding the current Chinook rules on Anderson Ranch Reservoir. The reason they are not addressed in the rules is that the recent stocking event occurred during the current 3-year rules cycle – which was published prior to the stocking event. Legally, Chinook fall under “other fish species” which do not have length, daily bag, or possession limits. Our hope is that folks would consider reasonable harvest – suggesting they consider Chinook as part of the general trout limit at Anderson Ranch Reservoir.
It is our intent to address Chinook harvest rules during this rule cycle. We have brought it up under the current rule scoping process and are reviewing public comments. Ultimately, Chinook fishing rules will be established Jan 1, 2016 following Commission approval.
Again, I am sorry if the incorrect information caused any inconvenience.
Donna Conrad
Customer Service Representative
Idaho Department of Fish & Game"
I hope people respond appropriately. Good publicity for our sport is always a plus.
Physion
This is kinda what I expected for an answer. I plan on releasing any more I catch. There presence seems to be working, IE making the kokanee population a bit smaller, thus better size. I have caught around 100 so far this year and they are averaging 13-14 inches. Much better than the 7-8 inch average from 3-4 years ago. So, unless its some 15 lb wall hanger, I will release if possible. The 2 I have gotten so far swallowed the hooks, so release was not possible. It would be nice to figure out a way to target them. I would love to do some catch and release fishing after getting a few kokes in the boat next trip.
redrider
Member
Thanks ! That answers my questions in detail.
gonefishing
Well-known member
Ririe reservoir is at 66% and will likely not fill again this year. The fish numbers are good in the deeper water, but that water has issues with an algae bloom already, including the dam end. I have never seen this much green, this time of the year. This will be a interesting year.
Trailbob
Active member
Fished Lucky Peak with my wife today, from 10:00 to 4:00. Caught 4 kokes (13-14") and two small trout, from 10 to 18' deep. Didn't catch a fish until after lunch. Not red hot, but at least some fish.
Kokanee Vandal
Active member
- Joined
- May 11, 2010
- Messages
- 30
Took my new boat out for the first time. Fished from noon until around 2:30. One koke in the boat and two lost. One at 10' on a chrome dodger and pink hoochie with gulp maggots (that's the one I landed) and two on the surface with small pop gear, fire corn and a chartreuse wedding ring.
I tried further up the reservoir this time due to crowding across from Spring Shores. The new boat made it much easier to get up there fast. All in all a fun day and a successful first voyage. Way more traffic than I thought there would be. I even loaded and unloaded without incident with two little ones in tow. I have never tried to drive onto the trailer, pretty cool and quick.
I did see quite a few fish landed from other boats and saw two boats trolling right in front of the ramp and one hooked up fast. Made it tough to get to the ramp but glad to see him catch one.
I tried further up the reservoir this time due to crowding across from Spring Shores. The new boat made it much easier to get up there fast. All in all a fun day and a successful first voyage. Way more traffic than I thought there would be. I even loaded and unloaded without incident with two little ones in tow. I have never tried to drive onto the trailer, pretty cool and quick.
I did see quite a few fish landed from other boats and saw two boats trolling right in front of the ramp and one hooked up fast. Made it tough to get to the ramp but glad to see him catch one.
KokaneeJoe
Well-known member
Anderson March 2015
Just returned from Anderson. Fishing from Curlew to Lime Creek good. Kokanee at about 18 feet caught them on every kind of dodger 24" ahead of a pink wiggle hoochie. Leaded line about 2 colors. Monofilament 72 feet with 1 1/2 oz sinker. Three days to catch possession limit.
Just returned from Anderson. Fishing from Curlew to Lime Creek good. Kokanee at about 18 feet caught them on every kind of dodger 24" ahead of a pink wiggle hoochie. Leaded line about 2 colors. Monofilament 72 feet with 1 1/2 oz sinker. Three days to catch possession limit.
livingidoutdoors
Member
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2015
- Messages
- 9
Hit the lake early this morning for a couple hours, blew our little boat all over. Had on hit and that was about it.
kokaneekevin
Active member
First post to this forum! Been reading it for a while though. Great info here! Keep up the good work everyone... thumbsup
Went up to LP yesterday with a buddy of mine (used his boat, a duck hunting camo boat; can't miss it if you saw us!). Spent most of the day there: 10:30 - 6pm. We took home 8 nice Kokanees, 13" - 14", each catching 4. Lost a couple close to the boat late in the day (dang wind, that's my excuse anyway laugh hyst ). We only had 11 bites between us all day, so it was a bit slow, but luckily we boated most of the hits we had. Caught a few using "Fish with Gary" gear and Kokabow gear in the morning, then switched to Ford Fenders in the afternoon, trying to take advantage of the sunshine. Chartreuse and orange seemed to be the colors of choice. Almost all the hits were with 4oz lead weights (no downriggers), maybe 20 to 30 feed down. No luck in front of Spring Shores, so spent most of the time in that first small 'bay' (with many others) to the left as you head around the corner down the channel. All in all, another great day out there. Can't wait to get out there again! Picture attached. Had one angler out there give us his only catch of the day as we were both heading in - the smaller one in the picture, but even the small ones smoke up really nice. These 5 are in brine now and will be in the smoker tomorrow! Easter Dinner! Doesn't get any better... 101chromefish101
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Went up to LP yesterday with a buddy of mine (used his boat, a duck hunting camo boat; can't miss it if you saw us!). Spent most of the day there: 10:30 - 6pm. We took home 8 nice Kokanees, 13" - 14", each catching 4. Lost a couple close to the boat late in the day (dang wind, that's my excuse anyway laugh hyst ). We only had 11 bites between us all day, so it was a bit slow, but luckily we boated most of the hits we had. Caught a few using "Fish with Gary" gear and Kokabow gear in the morning, then switched to Ford Fenders in the afternoon, trying to take advantage of the sunshine. Chartreuse and orange seemed to be the colors of choice. Almost all the hits were with 4oz lead weights (no downriggers), maybe 20 to 30 feed down. No luck in front of Spring Shores, so spent most of the time in that first small 'bay' (with many others) to the left as you head around the corner down the channel. All in all, another great day out there. Can't wait to get out there again! Picture attached. Had one angler out there give us his only catch of the day as we were both heading in - the smaller one in the picture, but even the small ones smoke up really nice. These 5 are in brine now and will be in the smoker tomorrow! Easter Dinner! Doesn't get any better... 101chromefish101
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Terek, as mentioned by the quote from Fish and game the Chinook were not only planted to help with the Kokanee population but to offer an additional fishing opportunity. I don't think it is unreasonable to take a few Chinook home when caught; they are great table fair and fight like the dickens especially on Kokanee gear. I also believe when F&G sees the success they have drawing more anglers to Anderson plus the benefit to the kokanee size they will most likely continue to plant Chinook.
I have had some luck fishing for Chinook on Coeur'Dalene lake ( sorry about the spelling). It has been my experience the small Chinook school with Kokanee but the larger Chinook tend to stay below the kokanee schools so try fishing one rod for kokanee at 20' and one for chinook at 35". I prefer using a single large blade with plug cut herring or a 14 Quickfish with a sardine wrap, I also know of two guys that have caught nice size (about five pounds) Chinook on Kokabow spinners at AR. A large sling blade or one of Kokabow's new blades (I like the silver and black and the silver and pink blades) this type of tackle would be perfect. For information on land locked Chinook try calling Fins and Feathers in Hayden Lake Idaho.
On a similar note I have caught small Chinook on Lucky Peak that have come through the dams. They look a lot like Kokanee but they have black spots on the back and tail. I keep these fish because I don't think they are intended to be in Luck Peak and in the long run they might be detrimental the Kokanee population. These are Just my thoughts with no backing from F&G to support. Good fishing and good luck.
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The ones we did catch were around 4-6 lbs and very good fighters. Very noticable, like my wife handed to rod to me cuz she could not handle it. They also tasted great. Was a nice change to eat a salmon fillet the size of one you would get at the store. I will take your advice with the cut herring next time we go up. On another note, the larger one we caught had roe in it. I know its a bit early, but mabe this is a sign that they may spawn this fall. I thought i read something that chinook were planted in anderson a while ago, but never spawned. So they slowly disappeared.
You caught 4-6lb. Chinook @ Anderson this year? Didn't happen unless you post pictures.
sawtooth
IDAHO Kokanee Forum Moderator
Lunddude, Check out post #18 on page 1 of this thread. The two larger fish in the pictures are the ones he is referring too. I would guess three and four lbs. respectively. Looks like 18" and 19" in length.
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salmonster
Well-known member
I see the IDFG stocked fall chinook in Anderson in 2013. How long will they live? Will they spawn up the river like the situation ion Cour de Alene?
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It is my understanding that land locked Chinook only live three years with a few that live four years. The fish don't reproduce naturally because they were planted and unable to return to the water where they were hatched (in one of the hatcheries) so they get confused and even though they reach maturity they can't figure out where to spawn. Mother Nature, go figure.
F&G started planting Chinook in Coeur D Alene Lake in 1976 and over the years some have found their way into the streams and rivers to produce a few natural spawners but F&G still stocks the lake each year. It’s a great success for Coeur D Alene Lake. I hope they do something similar at Anderson Ranch. I have emailed the Fisheries manager for the Magic Valley region and will pass along information he provides to me.
F&G started planting Chinook in Coeur D Alene Lake in 1976 and over the years some have found their way into the streams and rivers to produce a few natural spawners but F&G still stocks the lake each year. It’s a great success for Coeur D Alene Lake. I hope they do something similar at Anderson Ranch. I have emailed the Fisheries manager for the Magic Valley region and will pass along information he provides to me.
This is a misconception. Planted Chinook can spawn naturally if planted in lakes with suitable streams with proper spawning bed bottoms and water temperatures that don't fluctuate outside boundaries of salmon spawn habitat. We have a lake here that has successful Chinook fishing a decade after the last DFG plant. Natural reproduction has been successful in the lake. Furthermore, in ocean run salmon that are tagged at the hatcheries, many have been identified in future years returning to streams that were not their original hatch and plant waters.
I hope this is true, it makes sense. It would suck if jwood is correct, because that would make this summer the last one for a lot of the chinook. As it will be summer 3 for the last batch of stockers. I may have to go threw the pics I have of the last trip I made. Seems like a few of the smaller fish had spots on the tail. Seems that if we are seeing larger fish (i.e. 18-20 inchers) and smaller fish (i.e. 11-12 inchers) in the same area, leads me to belive the smaller ones may be spawners. At least I dream this is true. I would love to have a plentiful stock of 5+ lb fish to catch and my kids to catch for years to come.
