Kokanee salmon season is here or just around the corner depending on your favorite fishing hole! Find out what you need to know below from Colorado Department of Wildlife.

2016 KOKANEE REGULATIONS

Statewide kokanee limit by angling or snagging: 10 daily bag & possession.

This handout includes information on fishing in Colorado and is not a legal notice or a complete collection of fishing regulations and laws. It is a condensed guide issued for anglers’ convenience. Copies of statutes and regulations can be obtained from a Colorado Parks and Wildlife office or at http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/fishing.pdf

Barker Reservoir – Boulder County

Snagging for kokanee salmon is permitted from October 1 through December 1. Beaver Creek Reservoir – Rio Grande County Snagging for kokanee salmon is permitted from October 1 through December 31.

Blue Mesa Reservoir – Gunnison County

Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from November 1 through December 31. NEW for 2016: kokanee daily bag limit is 5 fish, possession limit is 10 fish

Blue River – Grand and Summit Counties

From the Colo. 9 bridge over the Blue River at Blue River State Wildlife Area downstream to the Green Mountain Reservoir inlet: Snagging for kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.

Cheesman Reservoir – Douglas and Jefferson Counties

Snagging of kokanee is permitted from September 1 through September 30.

Cimarron River – Montrose County

Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from November 1 through December 31.

Clear Creek– Chaffee County

From the gauging station (approximately ½ mile above Clear Creek Reservoir) downstream to Clear Creek Reservoir: Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from October 1 through December 31.

Clear Creek Reservoir– Chaffee County

Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from October 1 through December 31.

Colorado River, (North Fork) including Shadow Mountain Spillway – Grand County

From Shadow Mountain Dam spillway to Lake Granby including Columbine Bay to the Twin Creek inlet: Fishing is prohibited from October 1 through December 31.

Crystal Reservoir – Montrose County

Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.

Dolores River – Dolores and Montezuma Counties

From the confluence with the West Fork of the Dolores River downstream to the standing water line of McPhee Reservoir: The taking of kokanee salmon is prohibited, except from November 15 through December 31, when snagging is permitted.

East River – Gunnison County

1. From the upstream property boundary at the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery downstream to the confluence with the Taylor River: The taking of kokanee salmon is prohibited.
2. From Roaring Judy Hatchery outlet downstream to the Roaring Judy property boundary: Fishing is prohibited from August 1 through October 31.

Florida River – LaPlata County

From the headwaters downstream to Lemon Reservoir: Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.

Lake Granby – Grand County

1. From January 1 through August 31, the bag and possession limit for trout (except lake trout) and kokanee salmon is four fish, singly or in aggregate.
2. From September 1 through December 31, the bag and possession limit for kokanee salmon is 10 fish.
3. Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted in Lake Granby only from September 1 through December 31 except snagging is prohibited in Columbine Bay from the inlet of Twin Creek upstream.

Green Mountain Reservoir – Grand and Summit Counties

Snagging for kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.

Grimes Creek – LaPlata County

From the headwaters downstream to the standing water line of Vallecito Reservoir:

1. All kokanee salmon must be returned to the water immediately from September 1 through November 14.
2. Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from November 15 through December 31.

Gross Reservoir – Boulder County

1. Fishing is prohibited from sunset to sunrise.
2. Snagging for kokanee is permitted from October 1 through December 1.

 Gunnison River – Delta, Gunnison and Montrose counties

1. From the confluence of the East and Taylor Rivers downstream to the standing water line of Blue Mesa Reservoir, including all tributary canals and diversions:
2. The taking of kokanee salmon is prohibited from August 1 through October 31.
3. Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted November 1 through December 31.
4. From the closure signs below Blue Mesa Dam downstream to Morrow Point Res. Dam: Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.
5. From the closure sign below Morrow Point Reservoir dam downstream to Crystal Reservoir Dam: Snagging of kokanee is permitted from September 1 through December 31.

Gunnison River, Lake Fork – Gunnison and Hinsdale counties

From the upper Red Bridge campground boundary downstream to Blue Mesa Res.: Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.

McPhee Reservoir – Montezuma County

Snagging for kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.

Monument Reservoir – Las Animas County

Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from October 1 through December 31.

Morrow Point Reservoir – Gunnison and Montrose Counties

Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted September 1 through December 31.

Navajo Reservoir – Archuleta County

At the Navajo State Park boat ramp and mooring cove only: Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through January 31.

Ridgway Reservoir – Ouray County

Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.

Taylor Park Reservoir – Gunnison County

Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.

Uncompahgre River – Ouray County

From the Ouray CR 23 bridge downstream to Ridgway Reservoir: Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.

Vallecito Creek – La Plata and San Juan Counties

1. From the southern boundary of the Weminuche Wilderness downstream to the La Plata CR 501 bridge:
   1. All kokanee salmon must be returned to the water immediately upon catch from September 1 through November 14.
   2. Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from November 15 through December 31.
2. From the La Plata CR 501 bridge downstream to the standing water line of Vallecito Reservoir:
   1. Fishing is prohibited from September 1 through November 14.
   2. Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from November 15 through December 31.

Williams Fork Reservoir – Grand County

1. Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.
2. From the buoy line at the Williams Fork River inlet upstream to the first Grand County Road bridge: Fishing and snagging are prohibited from September 15 to November 30.

Wolford Mountain Reservoir – Grand County

1. Public access, including fishing, is prohibited within 150 feet of any kokanee spawning trap or wing net from October 1 – December 1.

2016 Kokanee Giveaways

 Roaring Judy Give-Away

At the Hatchery north of Gunnison October 14, 21, 28, November 4 (Fridays) If fish are available Need to be in line by 9 am to receive fish. Call 970:641-7070

Dolores Give-Away

October 20, 27 (if fish are available; call 970- 247-0855 for more info) Joe Rowell Park at 3PM Lake

Nighthorse Give-Away

Nov. 4, 11, 18, Dec. 2 Location to be determined (call 970-247-0855)

Vallecito Reservoir Give-Away

Vallecito Community Center, NW side of res., 3 pm No giveaways anticipated this year due to lack of fish Call 970:247-0855

Williams Fork Reservoir Give-Away

To check on fish availability and dates call 970:725-6200

Granby at Shadow Mountain Give-Away

To check on fish availability and dates call 970:725-6200

Wolford Mountain Reservoir Give-Away

To check on fish availability and dates call 970:725-6200

You will need a valid fishing license to receive ‘Give-Away’ kokanee. Donation certificates will be issued at the giveaways if the number of fish exceeds 10 per angler.