State of the Kokanee at Nantahala Lake

[Dr. Oc]

Not going to get up there this year, but have been periodically checking this site to see if ANYONE had information on the lake. Very sad to see zero posts. Has anyone given them a go? Are the kokes gone as we have feared? Has NCWRC decided on what they are going to do with either the Kokanee or the Bluebacks?

 

[trollmonkey]

Nantahala Kokes??

Hey Doc,I haven't been to Nantahala this year. Also haven't heard of any kokes caught,not sure many folks are trying now. We've been fishing Watauga in Tenn . catching Lake Trout and stream fishing. There are hopefully good things coming, The NCWRC is getting kokanee eggs from Montana in an effort to rebuild the fishery. They're hoping the stockings over a five year period will result in a self sustaining population once again. Hopefully in the mean time the bluebacks will crash,but there doesn't seem to be anyway to wipe them out. The stocking will begin next year ,so it will probably be two or three years before they are much size. I'm thinking if they make it with the herring the kokes will be way smaller than we were getting a few years back.

 

[smokysteelhead]

Reduction in bag limit to 4 salmon per angler proposed

 

[Dr. Oc]

Following the Nantahala koke fishery on another site and unfortunately not one fish has been reported to date. Several good fishermen have given them a go without success. Very discouraging. 3 years into the restocking effort and it is looking pretty bleak. Does anyone have intel that's any different? The state is supposed to continue the stockings for 2 more years. Even if none are caught this summer, there still could be visible spawning activity in the Rainbow Springs Club area this fall, certainly by next year if any made it to adulthood. We'll see.