Snagging Spawning Kokanee

[TubeDude]

"Cisco really are not able to be caught using standardized fishing techniques."  I used to think that also, until (many moons ago) I took Pat ice fishing to Bear Lake.  I watched him catch several, in the mouth.

I have also caught dozens (and witnessed others catching some too) of cisco in the mouth too, however, it was more coincidental than anything.  Cisco are very curious and attracte to lures during the spawn, so when the fish comes up to your lure to inspect things (probably thinking it might be another cisco ready to spawn) and then they get snagged in the mouth. I've seen many unique things with cisco after 31 years of observing them in shallow water or even in deeper water (up to 100') with underwater cameras and I've only seen one angler actually "catch" a cisco.  That angler did it with with 2lb test line on a #22 or #24 fly through a hole at Cisco Beach in about 3 feet of water.  He'd put the lure (drop shotted) with a short dropper to a split shot right in front of their noses.   I watched him "catch" 2 cisco in about an hour of trying.  So, it can be done, but it is extremely rare.

On the day Kent mentioned, we were fishing over the rockpile...in about 50 feet of water.  There were lots of fish present.  I was dropping down a 3/8 oz. white jigging spoon...with red spots...and a red treble hook.  I would jig it a couple of times just off the bottom and then let it sit motionless.  My rod tip would vibrate as the ciscoes attacked the lure.  I never deliberately snagged any but quite a few either snagged themselves...or actually got one of the red treble hook points inside their mouths.  On that same lure, the same day, I also caught small Bear Lake whitefish, Bonneville whitefish and a couple of cutts. 


After being told...by the Bear Lake Biologist...that the ciscos were in the throes of spawning lust...I decided to try to capitalize on that by making a special lure.  Sadly, I never got to fish those same conditions again so I never found out how well it worked...or not.