FG Derbies and Kokanee

[Ryno]

I seen something on the Burbot bash, but I didn’t read it very close. I think it was the last weekend in January. Guess I looked to see when not to hit FG. Last time I was there on bash weekend I couldn’t believe how many people showed up for it. So I prefer to fish when crowds are down. Just me, I like to enjoy less crowded spots on my outdoor time. Later Jeff

We are more “fair weather fishers” ? we only do the spring-fall fishing (usually between memorial and labor day) and only do the DU derby in June. But would like to spend a couple weekends up there this year, try to get on top the pups and bring a few silver bullets onto the boat as well. 

We used to fish it hard and heavy a couple years ago, then got busy with life and noticed the koke fishing was struggling, just curious how it’s projected to look this season.

Kokanee fishing in the spring/summer was much better last year, compared to 2023.  I noticed more smaller fish in my catch, even down to yearling kokanee, which hasn't been the case for many years.  That was good to see.  Survey data collected in late summer, showed the population still trending down, and slightly lower than 2023.  More good news though, the run/spawn was better last fall, and the reservoir drop is supposed to be minimal this winter, which will hopefully equate to good kokanee recruitment in 2025.  In addition, having liberalized the regulation on small lake trout, and tournament organizers taking advantage of the "unlimited small lake trout", will hopefully lead to some additional harvest on those predators and better survival of small kokanee.  Not sure what they'll decide with the kokanee categories for the summer tournaments though, they usually start planning for those after the ice tournaments are over.  Good luck!