Ice fishing for Kokanee

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niteskies

niteskies

Member
Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
18
Location
Colorado Springs, Co
I just posted an update on the Colorado forum on a recent ice fishing outing at a high mountain lake here in Colorado. This lake (Antero) is known for how fast the trout grow by feeding on the fresh water shrimp (scud). A couple of years ago the Colorado DOW started stocking Kokanee into Antero and while ice fishing earlier this week for trout we also caught a few Kokanees. Antero is only about 15-16 feet deep and in the summer there is a lot of weed growth, so at first impression it not the typical deep water reservoir you think of for Kokanee. It is good to see the Kokanee doing well. At Antero the weeds can grow so thick that by early summer trolling is very difficult. So during the winter ice fishing for the Kokanee is when they may be the most accessible. All of this leads me to ask and hopefully start a discussion on Ice fishing tips and techniques for Kokanee.

Thanks and Happy Holidays everyone!!!
niteskies
 
I've caught kokes through the ice at a little reservoir close to home but what I've discovered is when you target for them, they're not around. We fished from daybreak till about 2pm without a bite, then, just as we were packing up to leave we got a hit. Since they are a schooling species, they're harder to catch through the ice. Unlike trolling untill you find them. We kept pulling them out on the ice one after another, fast and furious for about 15 minutes then they were gone just as fast as they came. We didn't even need to bait the ice flies at times because you could see them take the bare jig at about 5' deep when we were over 55' of water. It appeared they liked hitting it on the fall and of course, 1/64oz ice flies don't fall too fast. Hope this helps?
 
Tom said it pretty good. they are schooled up and when they come through, its fast and furious for a bit. Im gettin ready for a koke run to the pig soon. Just gotta get my elk shot and into teh butcher and then its kokanee time through the ice.
 
Will do buddy. I can see about a dozen or so of us going that have showed an interest in going. Will get Steve and Tom to go also. Tom is getting hooked up for Christmas with Ice fishing gear.
 
Hey guys , you have my attention. I just might just need to try that action, if you don't me tagging along. Let me know when I've never been after Kokes through the ice before sounds like fun.
 
Have always done well with either a buzz bomb or else a standard ice fly/ attractor pattern. they are usually suspended and come through in schools, fast and furious when they come through.
 
i tried once but dident find them at antero , i fish gm alot for silver kokes threw the ice , usually its good in feb and march , i hope to get into them at wolford , willow creek and williams fork , there is also a decent population of them in clear creek res , as far as tips , i use pink or orange swedish pimples , small pink jigs , wax worms , red and tan meal worms , spikes and white shoepeg corn are all good baits , i run a jigging machine to keep the schools interested in the area im fishing
 
silverkoke said:
i tried once but dident find them at antero , i fish gm alot for silver kokes threw the ice , usually its good in feb and march , i hope to get into them at wolford , willow creek and williams fork , there is also a decent population of them in clear creek res , as far as tips , i use pink or orange swedish pimples , small pink jigs , wax worms , red and tan meal worms , spikes and white shoepeg corn are all good baits , i run a jigging machine to keep the schools interested in the area im fishing
Click to expand...

You got me hook, line, and sinker.. What's a jigging machine??? :confused:
 
SuperD said:
Battery operated rod jerker. LOL! Tell your wife you're buying on of those.
Click to expand...

Thanks for explaining... :rolleyes: I've seen those machines, but it seems as though you would loose alot of fish useing them. Where I fish if your not concentrating and don't set the hook the second the koke even breathes on your jig you'll miss em.
 
The purpose for the Jigging machine is to jig a couple sets of cow bells/pop gear up and down to attract the Kokanee and help hold them in the area where you are ice fishing. There is no hook or lure at the end of the cow bells. As a matter of fact I have found that a 2 oz. weight at the bottom of the cow bells helps pull the cow bells down and minimize slack in the line on the down stroke of the jigging machine.

I only recently built my jigging machine out of an old windshield wiper motor and am still learning what works best. I have several different sets of cow bells - a rainbow pattern set, a silver dimpled surface willow leaf set, a silver and brass blade set with red or green reflective tape strips on the blades. I am not sure what set works best. Another part of the equation is how far over from the hole the jigging machine is in should the holes be that have the rods with the jigs/bait. In shallower water I believe closer, in deeper water I believe farther apart, but that is only my best guess and I am still experimenting with how much distance between the cow bells and the jigs/lures.

niteskies
 
Last edited:
Thanks for explaining that niteskies...that makes alot of sense! thumbsup Another thing that might be worth a try is attaching a scent dispenser to the end of the cowbells.
 
I was in a sports shop the other day and a pretty nice looking brunette came in with a big box and opened it up. She has just taken over a local bait distributer, and was making the rounds.

Long story short, she's married, and I bought a couple packs of krill. :eek:
Apparently its a hot ticket on my local lake. I have other plans tomorrow but I'm going to try them pretty quick. Anyone else use them?
 

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