If catching loads of kokanee salmon on Flaming Gorge is something you’re looking
forward to this year you may need to lower your expectations. Wyoming Game &
Fish Department announced last week that anglers fishing at Flaming Gorge
Reservoir should expect reduced kokanee salmon catch rates in 2023 compared to
previous years. Estimates from 2016 to 2019 were nearly double the most recent
estimates. Kokanee population recruitment estimates show a decline of over 50
percent when comparing estimates from 2021-2022 to estimates from 2016-2019.
Trout and kokanee stocking began May 16th and will continue around the reservoir
at major boat ramps through the middle of June. “It is a great time to target small
lake trout around the structures associated with the boat ramps where fish are being
stocked to reduce predation,” shares John Walrath, Green River Fisheries Biologist.
“The majority of the stocking activity will occur at the Buckboard and Brinegar’s
Ferry boat ramps, the best time to catch lake trout is early morning.” Through early
to mid-June, lake trout will be in the shallows while shoreline water temperatures
are cool. Harvesting more small lake trout will increase the number of rainbows,
cutthroat, and kokanee available to anglers.
