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Lake Pend Oreille kokanee fishing outlook |
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June 20, 2017 |
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By Pete Rust
IDFG Fisheries Research Biologist
Kokanee fishing is finally beginning to pick up
on Idaho’s largest body of water. Unusually cool
and blustery spring conditions and high inflows
have kept most kokanee anglers away from Lake
Pend Oreille. With the increasing numbers of
kokanee in Pend Oreille over the past few years,
anglers have been pleased with the number of
relatively large kokanee available from this
popular fishery.
In 2017, we expect to see numbers of kokanee
comparable to, or slightly higher than, those of
the past couple of years (roughly 1.5 million 3
year olds and 300k 4 year olds available to
anglers).
One notable difference this spring has been the
slightly smaller size of three year old fish to
begin the year. This year class had begun the
year at around eight inches as opposed to nine
inches in the previous couple of years.
But water temperatures are warming, the growth
of these fish has resumed. Recent observations
show these fish now approaching the nine inch
mark, and they should continue to grow
throughout the summer.
We anticipate an average fish size of about 11
inches by the end of summer.
A bonus to this year’s fishery has been a
greater number of four year old fish that were
already measuring 10.5 to 11.5 inches in May.
These fish should exceed 13 inches by fall. A
few of these older fish are available each year,
but we anticipate a few more than anglers have
seen recently.
The bottom line is there are a lot of kokanee
available to anglers on Lake Pend Oreille this
year. The lake ... and the fishing ... have
begun to warm up.
With the Fourth of July holiday weekend
approaching, it couldn't be a better time to
pick up your 2017 fishing license and get out on
the lake. 2017 license buyers will enjoy the
benefits of the new Price Lock program.
Your license fees will remain at 2017 prices (at
least through 2022) so long as you buy a license
every year.
Fishing pressure has been very light, but it is
time to get out and start taking advantage of a
plentiful resource now that summer has finally
arrived in the Panhandle! |
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