The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has issued a press release stating that annual fishing closures are in place to protect spawning kokanee salmon and other species in Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Green River below Fontenelle Dam in Wyoming. Shoreline spawning kokanee are considered the key to recovering the kokanee population in Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Research indicates that they constitute a significant portion of the kokanee population, ranging from 50 to 80 percent. Wildlife officials say a combination of good natural recruitment, maintaining stocking rates, and reducing predation is essential for improving the kokanee fishery. “While it’s not illegal to fish for kokanee during the fall, anglers are required to release them immediately,” shares John Walrath, Green River Fisheries Biologist. “Kokanee put all their energy into spawning and die soon after, so they should not have to endure additional stress if it can be avoided.” Anglers are encouraged to target other species this fall, such as lake trout, allowing kokanee to spawn without added stressors.
