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Thread: 2013-2016 Idaho Kokanee Fishing Reports Quick Links

  1. #51
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    I asked Fins and Feathers, the fishing store and guide service in Coeur d'Alene this past year, and he told me they would be munching on them this summer, and show fast growth. I look forward to fishing for them. The methods used at CdA should be a good starting point. Go to their web site, and click on "Chinook" for a good primer. Mike

  2. #52
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    Oct 2012
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    Meridian, ID
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    Quote Originally Posted by kodiak1 View Post
    I asked Fins and Feathers, the fishing store and guide service in Coeur d'Alene this past year, and he told me they would be munching on them this summer, and show fast growth. I look forward to fishing for them. The methods used at CdA should be a good starting point. Go to their web site, and click on "Chinook" for a good primer. Mike
    thanks for the info, i remember in another thread you stated you'd be getting Anderson dialed in once the chinook are big enough, this year and the next few yrs should be a great chance to possibly catch both species of salmon out of there in one day
    1982 18' Hydra-Sports Striper Special, 1982 Mariner 150hp, 1980 Johnson 7.5hp

  3. #53
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    Feb 2014
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    Went out to LP today and caught three 12-14" across from the marina. Water temp 37.8 degrees. Also went to Cabellas for the kokabow 101 presentation and Alan from Kokabow put on a great presentation. I have had good results with his spinners.

  4. #54
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    Mar 2012
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    Meridian,idaho
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    Hi all,
    My son and I are considering coming up on memorial week end. The opportunity to keep 25 per day is very enticing.
    Would this be a good time ? Where would a newcomer stay and start?
    We live in the boise valley and this would be a 3 day excursion. Any tips and advice would be appreciated.

  5. #55
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    Mar 2013
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    North Central ID
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    Quote Originally Posted by bayhorse View Post
    Hi all,
    My son and I are considering coming up on memorial week end. The opportunity to keep 25 per day is very enticing.
    Would this be a good time ? Where would a newcomer stay and start?
    We live in the boise valley and this would be a 3 day excursion. Any tips and advice would be appreciated.
    Bayhorse,

    Dent acres is a good campground if that is what you are looking for. It's about an hour-ish? from Orofino if you're pulling a boat. Maybe someone else knows the route better...I live in the area and don't really camp up there much.

    http://www.reserveamerica.com/campin...O&parkId=73168

    From what my buddy and I learned last year (no experts here), there is good fishing to be had across from Dent at Canyon Cr. and just downlake a little from there at Indian Cr. and then uplake at Dicks Cr. All an easy distance from Dent. There are also boat-up campgrounds around the lake, but I haven't yet done that option. Some of them look really nice if the water level is up, which it should be that time of the year. We're looking forward to a multi boat/multi family outing this year in the boat-up campgrounds. As far as timing...I'll let other more experienced folks chime in, but we were doing well around that that date last year.

  6. #56
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    Thank you for the information . We have considered staying in a motel in Orofino,but it sounds like the drive time might not be fun. The camp ground pictures look awesome. We will be pulling up a 14' Starcraft and will tent camp if we can put this trip together. The boat up camp grounds sound interesting.
    Have you heard anything about the size of fish this year? Hope they would be as good as last years.
    The area is beautiful and would be a great camp trip, some fat kokes would be a nice bonus!

  7. #57
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    Mar 2010
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    Colton
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    dworshak reservoir association, link below has links to maps of dworshak that show all the boat in mini campsites and how far they are from the dam and other useful info, water levels and surface temps...the bulletin boards at the campgrounds and ramps are usually stocked with the same maps which is useful to have out on the water if you arent familiar out there identifying the bays and where you are...

    http://dworshak.org/

  8. #58
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    Mar 2012
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    Meridian,idaho
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    Great information site thanks!

  9. #59
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    Jul 2009
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    Hell's Canyon, WA
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    Hi bayhorse, Thought I might add to the comments, Memorial Day means pretty full campgrounds. So, here's a couple of options:
    1- Freeman Creek Campground is a wonderful camping area, very well kept, the personnel there is friendly, and helpful, there is ice for purchase for keeping your Kokanee cool on the way home. The level you will be camping at will not be too far above the water level, you will have pretty easy access to your boat. There are a couple of docks you can tie up to, or you can tie up along the shore near your camp, no need to pull your boat out at night. If you choose this option, then you should reserve a camping spot.

    2- Boat in camping, cannot reserve, it first come, first serve, but you should not have any problem finding one that is open. This is a good option, and would be a lot of fun, each one has a toilet, table, and a flat area for your tent, pretty nice,

    Dent Acres is a pretty good distance from Canyon Creek, as you can see on the map, but if you camp in the Freeman Creek area, then Canyon Creek is almost straight across the lake. Fishing will be good in the time frame you will be there, the Kokanee size should be about the same as last year. Fishing should be good right at Freeman Creek, and across the lake at Canyon & Indian Creek, we caught a lot of fish last year right in front of the park, didn't even crank up the big motor, just used the trolling motor.

    Using either option you will have a lot of fun. Ken

  10. #60

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    Fished out of Turner today from 9am til about 530. Turned out to be a good day after the morning wind slowed down. All together we landed 18 kokes, 7 trout, and 3 fish I'm not sure what they were. They had the head and body of a koke, the tail of a trout and had black spots along their backs. Any idea what we caught? The fish are shallow. Top 10' of the water column.

  11. #61
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    Mar 2012
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    Meridian,idaho
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    Thanks Ken for the options. I like the sounds of staying at Freeman Creek camp ground and tying up at camp. Looks as if it could be about an hr. Drive from Orofino ,is the road paved ?
    I assume that reservations should be made early and do you have specific spots you could recommend.
    The more we talk about this trip the more excited I become!
    Thanks again for the help?

  12. #62
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    Jul 2009
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    Boise
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    It has to be either a trout or a kokanee. There aren't any other salmonoids in there. There are many variations of trout, however. One good method to test whether it is a koke or trout is to stick your finger in the mouth. The teeth of a kokanee are pretty undeveloped compared to the trout. There is an obvious difference. By the way, good job on hammerin' both kokes and trout, today. Thanks for the report. Were they hitting one lure more than the next? Mike
    Last edited by kodiak1; 03-09-2014 at 01:34 AM.

  13. #63
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    Feb 2014
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    For us the trout seemed to be hitting a white rooster tail trolled at the surface. Even had a koke hit a white rooster tail. I was pulling wedding ring with a glow hook tipped with shoe peg behind pop gear and got a few. Tried kokabows on the surface without pop gear and did not get any action.

  14. #64
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    Jul 2013
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    Grangeville, Idaho
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    My son and I stayed at Freeman Creek last october during the Great 2013 Federal Gov’t Shutdown. We were going to stay at Dent but it closed for the paid holiday and they dumped our reservation. From Freeman we had to travel up lake to and past Dent for the best fishing, but we caught 27 in an evening and the next morning. Lots of times that late in the year can be a hard catch, but we had some success working half brass and chrome cowbells and wedding rings with soaked corn down 40 feet.

    Dent is elbow to elbow pull through sites with full facilities, included covered tables which is nice in Northern Idaho in spring! While Freeman has 3 different loops with varying facilities and prices. Dent and Freeman are both about an hour from Orofino on good paved roads. Both are reservable - pick your date, whatever fits your schedule, and get your reservations as early as you can.

    The last part of the drive into Freeman is pretty steep winding road. The early part of Dent has some steep winding parts. They are both easy to get to following a printed online map from Google or any other mapping search tool. The signage from Orofino is pretty good.

    The boat ramp is great at both locations and you can easily pull your boat out at night with generous parking - even right at your campsite. Docking is always more limited at Dent. On a holiday weekend getting a dock space at either campground is hit or miss.

    I have not fished for Kokes memorial day at Dworshak to have a good opinion as to which is the better place or where the most likely areas are for fish. I tend to read here on Kokanee Forums and do just what you are doing, ask question on the best areas on the lake to start looking. I live close enough that I am not all that fearful of just driving over and trying a hunch - (going to do just that next saturday and start at the dam)

    Have fun! Bring your bass stuff as well. They are a lot of fun when you want a workout.

    Rick
    Last edited by ricks; 03-09-2014 at 04:45 PM.
    Gray/White Bluewater - Stop and say howdy!

  15. #65
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    Jul 2009
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    Hell's Canyon, WA
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    Hi bayhorse, I think Rick answered most of your questions. This early in the year the Kokanee will start to school up in the lower part of the lake, closer to the dam, near the Freeman Campground later in the year, late Aug. & Sept. they will be migrating to their spawning areas uplake , at this time Dent Acres would be the best place to camp. Here is the website that shows the camping locations at Freeman Creek Campground, we take our motorhome when we go there, and stay in the first loop. You can pick any camp site near the lake, and it will be nice. http://idahostateparks.reserveameric...ex=CampingSpot

    In the event the above site does not come up for you just Google Dworshak State Park, then click on the site that says something about reservations. Ken

  16. #66
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    Meridian,idaho
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    Thank you Ken and Rick for all of your help I have definitely decided to stay at Freeman campground.
    I will call tomorrow and reserve a space.
    Looking forward to trying some new areas and hope to run into you nice folks. Thanks again!

  17. #67
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    May 2012
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    2

    Smile LP unidentified fish

    Quote Originally Posted by BigggCountry View Post
    Fished out of Turner today from 9am til about 530. Turned out to be a good day after the morning wind slowed down. All together we landed 18 kokes, 7 trout, and 3 fish I'm not sure what they were. They had the head and body of a koke, the tail of a trout and had black spots along their backs. Any idea what we caught? The fish are shallow. Top 10' of the water column.
    More than likely the fish you caught are landlocked Chinook salmon. Black mouth and gums. Lots of sharp teeth. Coho's have also been stocked in LP at one time. That lake is a veritable smorgasbord of fish. Look at the historical fish stocking report from Idaho Fish and Games website. You would be surprised to find out all the fish that have been put into that fishery over the years.

  18. #68
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    Oct 2012
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    Meridian, ID
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    Quote Originally Posted by BigggCountry View Post
    Fished out of Turner today from 9am til about 530. Turned out to be a good day after the morning wind slowed down. All together we landed 18 kokes, 7 trout, and 3 fish I'm not sure what they were. They had the head and body of a koke, the tail of a trout and had black spots along their backs. Any idea what we caught? The fish are shallow. Top 10' of the water column.
    i'm thinking you hooked some variation of a kamloops or triploid rainbow (or one of the "unspecified rainbow" species that fish and game has stocked), i guess its possible that you hooked a chinook, but those haven't been stocked since the year 2000 and its doubtful that natural spawning has taken place, from what i found online the chinook live for 4 years and then die
    1982 18' Hydra-Sports Striper Special, 1982 Mariner 150hp, 1980 Johnson 7.5hp

  19. #69
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    Apr 2013
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    Eagle, ID
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    New to the forum and new to kokanee fishing as of last year. Made it out last Sat myself with my son. Only managed two trout out from Turner. Lots of grabs and brief hookups but none to the boat. Wind was tough, but just as we were pulling out, wind began to die down, guess I should have stayed longer. Curious where people have been finding 'em in LP? PM me if preferred. Thanks for the info and those willing to share on the site. This site has got me excited and intrigued by koke fishing locally.

  20. #70
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    Oct 2012
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    Meridian, ID
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    Quote Originally Posted by doublehaul View Post
    New to the forum and new to kokanee fishing as of last year. Made it out last Sat myself with my son. Only managed two trout out from Turner. Lots of grabs and brief hookups but none to the boat. Wind was tough, but just as we were pulling out, wind began to die down, guess I should have stayed longer. Curious where people have been finding 'em in LP? PM me if preferred. Thanks for the info and those willing to share on the site. This site has got me excited and intrigued by koke fishing locally.
    welcome to KFF doublehaul,

    people are finding them at LP dam and at the marina currently from what i've heard (i haven't been out yet this yr), you will find small schools scattered all over the reservoir right now but will prolly find the bigger schools between the dam and the marina

    the kokanee are a bit sluggish due to the cold water temps right now but they will bite if you give them the lure they hate (or love to hate) at the right depth and speed, fish 0-10' deep and if the kokanee are in the area you're fishing you should get a few cooperative fish

    tell us about your boat and gear, do you fish with downriggers? what speeds were you fishing? do you have a fish finder? it isnt necessary to have the newest fish catching gadgets but they will help catch fish
    1982 18' Hydra-Sports Striper Special, 1982 Mariner 150hp, 1980 Johnson 7.5hp

  21. #71
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    Feb 2011
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    Went up Saturday and got 3 koke in the boat plus 1 trout. Put on about 1:30. Did not fish in either of the main pools. Caught them in the narrows between the dam and spring shores. Had several hits and a couple hookups that got off because Eric didn't set the hook. Everything was from 20 feet up and still scattered all over the place...not schooled up at all, so it was helpful that we were dragging 7 lines. Used pop gear, dodgers and hoochies, etc.with corn. Nothing really worked better than anything else. Had a great afternoon and took a home a tasty meal.

  22. #72

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    I was trying to let the kids real in a fish. The more fun the kids have, the more often the wives will let us go fishing.

  23. #73
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    Apr 2013
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    Eagle, ID
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    Kok-head….thanks for the info. Regarding your questions….as a new koke fisherman my gear is a mish mash of stuff. My background has primarily been in fly fishing and before I wanted to buy a bunch of new gear, I wanted to get my feet wet. So infact, strange as it sounds, I have been trolling with full sinking fly-line with typical kokanee gear (dodger and hootchie, wedding rings, assassins, wiggle hoochies, etc) and although I have not caught limits of fish like some, I have found a few, enough to keep me coming back. I have a 16' jet "sled", one down rigger, fish-finder. Speed unknown as my fish-finder doesn't measure speed, but I am looking for the speed wheel attachment. With the "fly gear" I have been trying to mimic what the canadian's do for salmon off the coast with mooching rods and a single action reel, just downsized to make the small kokes fun to catch. At any rate with that gear it has been difficult to determine my speed or depth unless I am on the down rigger. I have found as many fish on the plain sinking fly line as on the down rigger. I fully recognize that this is not ideal koke gear, but gets my stuff down a ways depending on my speed.

    Sounds like this time of year, just need to cover some water and try to find some fish. Fish in the upper 10 feet of water are tough to pick up on my fish-finder due to surface scatter (I am new to fish finders also) so might as well be fishing blind when they are this high in the column??

    Really appreciate the info!

    Thanks

  24. #74
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    Oct 2012
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    Meridian, ID
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    Quote Originally Posted by doublehaul View Post
    Kok-head….thanks for the info. Regarding your questions….as a new koke fisherman my gear is a mish mash of stuff. My background has primarily been in fly fishing and before I wanted to buy a bunch of new gear, I wanted to get my feet wet. So infact, strange as it sounds, I have been trolling with full sinking fly-line with typical kokanee gear (dodger and hootchie, wedding rings, assassins, wiggle hoochies, etc) and although I have not caught limits of fish like some, I have found a few, enough to keep me coming back. I have a 16' jet "sled", one down rigger, fish-finder. Speed unknown as my fish-finder doesn't measure speed, but I am looking for the speed wheel attachment. With the "fly gear" I have been trying to mimic what the canadian's do for salmon off the coast with mooching rods and a single action reel, just downsized to make the small kokes fun to catch. At any rate with that gear it has been difficult to determine my speed or depth unless I am on the down rigger. I have found as many fish on the plain sinking fly line as on the down rigger. I fully recognize that this is not ideal koke gear, but gets my stuff down a ways depending on my speed.

    Sounds like this time of year, just need to cover some water and try to find some fish. Fish in the upper 10 feet of water are tough to pick up on my fish-finder due to surface scatter (I am new to fish finders also) so might as well be fishing blind when they are this high in the column??

    Really appreciate the info!

    Thanks
    glad that you're finding fish, speed is important and the right speed can be accomplished without a speedometer, what i used to do is run my motor at the lowest possible idle speed (while dragging drift socks or buckets off my bow cleats) for 5-10sec and then shift into neutral for 5-10sec, and if you troll with a smaller gas kicker or electric that makes it a lot easier and its nice to not have to let your main motor heat up so much and not work the transmission too hard

    to locate fish ill cruise at higher speeds through an area and can usually pick up some fish on the finder even if they are pretty shallow and then ill motor past the school i marked and give them a few min to regroup and then slowly troll back through them
    Last edited by kok-head; 03-13-2014 at 11:14 AM.
    1982 18' Hydra-Sports Striper Special, 1982 Mariner 150hp, 1980 Johnson 7.5hp

  25. #75
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    Apr 2013
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    Eagle, ID
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    Well I should correct myself a little, not finding fish yet this year, but a few last year. Didn't start until May last year though when the fish may have been more aggressive. Thanks again for the tips, I'll keep after it.

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