Kokanee Salmon

Description:

Kokanee are the land-locked form of sockeye salmon. Because they never migrate out to the ocean to feed, kokanee are often much smaller than sockeye. However, other than their size, kokanee have very similar identifying characteristics as sockeye. In males, back and sides are bright red to dirty red-gray, head is bright to olive green, tail is green to black In females, colors not as bright, but red above lateral line. Possible spots on back or tail fin for either sex. Males have a large dorsal hump. Range in length from 10-18 inches.

Habitat:

Most kokanee live in a lake for most of their lives, so you can usually see them spawning near the edge of a lake or in a small tributary that feeds into a lake. These were seen at Taylor Creek at Lake Tahoe, CA.