Ice fishing for Kokanee

One fish species that continues to grow in popularity to target during the ice fishing season in BC is Kokanee Salmon. Ice fishing methods for Kokanee differ than fishing for Rainbow Trout but are very often mistaken as the same. Kokanee fishing can be somewhat challenging but by following these basic steps it will help improve your odds while on the hard water.

It's essential to be fishing over deep water between 50 to 120 feet when ice fishing for Kokanee. The reason for this is because Kokanee primarily feed on Zooplankton that is located higher within the water column suspended over deep water. During ice over an angler will locate Kokanee anywhere from 15 feet down as much as 60 feet. The use of sonar will help improve your odds immensely in locating the fish.

If you do not have access to a fish finder (sonar) then start fishing at 10 feet deep and work your way down. If fishing within a group work as a team; have one person start at 10 feet and the other at 15, progress deeper until you find the fish. When you discover the fish you will want to repeat the same depth.

Kokanee Ice Fishing Technique and Terminal Tackle

The most productive way to catch Kokanee through the ice is by jigging. The technique consists of using 4 to 6 inch hook-less spoons as flashers and leaders between 14 to 18 inches. Spoons such as Williams Wablers, Williams Whitefish and Gibbs Stewart spoons work excellent. When rigging the flashers position the widest end of the spoon closest to the leader. By doing this it provides more of a “fluttering” type action to the flasher. Jig up and down slowly from between 6 to 12 inch pulls then every few moments pause.

The hook can consist of a plain hook or small jigs. Glo-Hooks in red and chartreuse tend to work very well. Add a small split shot weight to the middle of the leader to stop it from tangling. Tip the hook with a popular Kokanee bait such as Pink Maggots (live or synthetic), Krill, or shrimp.

Kokanee are a fragile fish compared to Rainbow Trout. They require a well-balanced water system of numerous contributing factors to survive. They do not handle catch and release well and their mortality rate is high even when handled and released with extra care and attention. Releasing the fish while still in the water is the best way to help with their survival rate when not being selected for harvest. It is good etiquette to limit fishing for Kokanee to the casual appetite for table fare and not just to fill a freezer. Don’t forget to check the fishing regulations before heading out Kokanee fishing as they do differ between water bodies.

Once you locate the active school of these chrome beauties, I promise you will be hooked on hard water Kokanee fishing! For more information on ice fishing for Kokanee please feel free to contact me or check out the BCFishn.com website!

 

Tight lines & Conserve our Waters!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.