Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee Salmon

Oncorhynchus nerka

Kokanee salmon are typically silver but turn bright red during spawning season, after which they migrate upstream to reproduce before dying and providing nourishment for their young and other wildlife.

The kokanee salmon thrives in the pristine waters of Wyoming's lakes and spawns in its cool, clean rivers. These fish are well adapted to their environment, often found in glacial lakes where they reside after being introduced in the late 20th century. As fall spawners, mature kokanee journey upstream to reproduce, completing their life cycle with a singular focus on spawning.

Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Salmoniformes
Family:
Salmonidae
Subfamily:
Genus:
Oncorhynchus
Species:
nerka

Kokanee Salmon Overview

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Native or nonnative?

Nonnative

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Wyoming classification

Game fish

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Closest relative

Sockeye Salmon

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Diet

Insects, freshwater shrimp, and zooplankton.

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Size

12 to 20 inches and 1 to 3 pounds on average.

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Lifespan

2 to 5 years on average, or until they reach sexual maturity and die after spawning.

  • Kokanee Salmon spawn

    Reproduction

    Kokanee spawn in late fall, reaching sexually maturity at 2-5 years old. Females create redds (nests) where they lay their unfertilized eggs and males will swim over top to externally fertilize the eggs.

  • Kokanee Salmon swimming

    Habitat

    Kokanee salmon are found in freshwater lakes, rivers, streams, and resevoirs in the western United States and Canada. They spend their entire life cycle in freshwater environments.

Kokanee salmon fun facts

  • Kokanee salmon are the non-anadromous (landlocked) version of sockeye salmon.
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  • The main predator of kokanee salmon is the lake trout.
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  • Fry (newly hatched kokanee) will live in the gravel for almost one month before they move to open water to form schools.
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