Kokanne stocking Strawberry and Jordanelle

[obifishkenobi]

Those of us who regularly fish for kokanees know that some years are better than others on any given body of water, I had a conversation with Brookie recently that prompted me to look at the stocking records for Jordanelle and Strawberry to see if the number of kokanee stocked would be a good predictive tool of fishing success this season at both lakes. Probably the largest variable outside of stocking numbers on both lakes is the success of natural recruitment each year, which can vary wildly from year to year, because of environmental conditions like drought vs. non drought years. Angler pressure and natural predation are other factors to be considered. Most Kokanee spawn in their third year, which I believe means they are born in the fall and planted the next spring. The year class we are perusing this winter and coming spring and summer is two years after their stocking year, My assumptions could be wrong, hopefully Chris Penny from the DNR will correct me if I am. I included the stocking totals for both lakes going back to 2016 when they started planting Jordanelle. You can draw your own conclusion based on your own experience fishing for kokanees from 2018 to the present and look forward to the 2026 season on these lakes. I did not include the smaller lakes like Lost Creek, East Canyon and Rock Port but the stocking numbers for those lakes might be telling as well. If the correlation between stocking numbers and fishing success holds true then this year may be challenging.

2016:    Jordanelle 152,234    Strawberry 405,996
2017:    Jordanelle 163,360    Strawberry 539,838
2018:    Jordanelle 247,355    Strawberry 370,754
2019:    Jordanelle 206,883    Strawberry 318,937
2020:    Jordanelle 132,082    Strawberry 361,099
2021:    Jordanelle 121,475    Strawberry 375,813
2022:    Jordanelle 160,528    Strawberry 449,595
2023:    Jordanelle 86,210      Strawberry 299,210
2024:    Jordanelle 124,495    Strawberry 399,212

[FishfulThinkin]

2022 (2023 Stocking) was a bad year for eggs. Way fewer fish went up the Strawberry River into the trap from what I heard. It's good to see the stocking numbers back up this year. I noticed that Rockport didn't stock any Kokanee in 2023 due to the shortage. I visited with Alan Ward and he told me that every region in the state requests more Kokanee fingerlings for their waters than are available to stock so it's a real challenge managing the Kokanee. They are trying to find new sources for eggs. I know recently they have harvested eggs at twin creeks (Fish Lake) and bought or traded some eggs from another state so they are doing their best to keep us stocked on Kokanee when mother nature doesn't cooperate.

[BYUHunter]

Interesting data.

What this doesn't account for, outside of natural recruitment like you mentioned, is the increase in angler pressure. Stocking figures have remained pretty static, with some fluctuation since 2016, but in my anecdotal experience, fishing pressure has doubled during that same time period.

If fisherman are successful, and taking home more fish, which I believe they are due to Facebook big-mouths trying to sell their dodgers and squids, there are fewer fish all around, and fewer to spawn. Compound that with years of drought during the same time period, and you have a fishery in decline.

[MrShane]

Interesting data.

What this doesn't account for, outside of natural recruitment like you mentioned, is the increase in angler pressure. Stocking figures have remained pretty static, with some fluctuation since 2016, but in my anecdotal experience, fishing pressure has doubled during that same time period.

If fisherman are successful, and taking home more fish, which I believe they are due to Facebook big-mouths trying to sell their dodgers and squids, there are fewer fish all around, and fewer to spawn. Compound that with years of drought during the same time period, and you have a fishery in decline.

This is just the tip of the iceberg on what advanced sonar will do to a fishery.
Wait till you see what it is going to due to our panfish fishery.
Utah recently banned thermal imaging on big game because it was so effective.
Remember when going fishing was just a relaxing hobby to burn up some stress?
Now anglers get stressed if they don’t have dead limit pics to post on social media.

[oldguy]

Interesting data.

What this doesn't account for, outside of natural recruitment like you mentioned, is the increase in angler pressure. Stocking figures have remained pretty static, with some fluctuation since 2016, but in my anecdotal experience, fishing pressure has doubled during that same time period.

If fisherman are successful, and taking home more fish, which I believe they are due to Facebook big-mouths trying to sell their dodgers and squids, there are fewer fish all around, and fewer to spawn. Compound that with years of drought during the same time period, and you have a fishery in decline.

This is just the tip of the iceberg on what advanced sonar will do to a fishery.
Wait till you see what it is going to due to our panfish fishery.
Utah recently banned thermal imaging on big game because it was so effective.
Remember when going fishing was just a relaxing hobby to burn up some stress?
Now anglers get stressed if they don’t have dead limit pics to post on social media.

Amen to that.the new electronics will IMO soon cause a problem.

[dubob]

Amen to that.the new electronics will IMO soon cause a problem.

Unfortunately, 'soon' has come and gone.  The new electronics have been causing problems for at least a couple of years now.  I can envision a day when we'll have to draw a permit to go fishing for an annual limit of one or two fish of the most sought-after species.  Go ahead - laugh.  Forty/fifty years ago, hunters never dreamed they would ever not be able to just buy a deer license over the counter every year.  They ain't laughin' now.

[oldguy]

Amen to that.the new electronics will IMO soon cause a problem.

Unfortunately, 'soon' has come and gone.  The new electronics have been causing problems for at least a couple of years now.  I can envision a day when we'll have to draw a permit to go fishing for an annual limit of one or two fish of the most sought-after species.  Go ahead - laugh.  Forty/fifty years ago, hunters never dreamed they would ever not be able to just buy a deer license over the counter every year.  They ain't laughin' now.

You are exactly right!

[TubeDude]

The super new electronics DO provide a lot more info.  But no sonar guarantees that the fish it finds will bite what you are offering.  Still some skill and luck involved.  It helps good fishermen become better fishermen.  But it only frustrates the doofus anglers who can't catch a cold in the winter.

[Troutster]

I agree that the new electronics can be helpful. However, it would seem the problem is too liberal limits on a fish species. If people are not exceeding the limits, does it matter if they have the fancy new electronics? I may not be seeing something but if Kokanee numbers are down, either lower the limit, increase the stocking, or decrease the predators (like FG and the increase limits on pup lake trout). If the only people catching are those with fancy electronics, there may be a problem with the fancy electronics. This is a very interesting thread.

[MrShane]

I can’t remember where I read it but a report talked about how ffs was being used to snag fish.
If true, shameful.

[dubob]

As the electronics improve, your ability to locate fish improves.  If your ability to locate fish improves, your ability to catch them will probably improve as well.  If your ability to catch them improves, then the likelihood of catching a limit improves.  As you catch more limits/trip, the resource is being depleted at a faster rate.  States are already struggling with budgets that decrease their ability to keep up with the depletion rate.

Here is a link to an interesting take on where we are today as fishermen/women and where we are headed.  Bottom line for the article is this: "In this article, we will explore the predictions and trends in sonar technology that are reshaping the art of fishing, leaving no fisherman behind in the pursuit of an extraordinary catch."

The Future of Fish Finders: Predictions and Trends in Sonar Technology

[smokepoles]

An analogous discussion going on regarding muzzleloading hunting seasons where technology advanced things past traditional/historic norms. Check the Utah proposal and the mixed regs across states.

[BYUHunter]

I would be much more in favor of reducing limits, than reducing sonar technology. I am not interested in taking home every fish I possibly can, I am out to show the kids a good time and catch fish. There is no doubt that Livescope makes locating fish easier, and by association, the odds of catching fish improves. This keeps otherwise disinterested kids, very interested in fishing. They can even read the Livescope now and watch their bites.

The age-old argument that the cost barrier of FFS leaves some anglers behind has been applied to many variables over the years. It's been said by bank-tanglers about people with boats, it was said when the first sonar came out that it was "cheating" and "elitist", it's been said about tackle (go down the bass swimbait rabbit hole sometime), on and on.

Affordability is not a factor in this conversation - someone else's economic insufficiency should not limit what I can enjoy.

[Troutster]

An analogous discussion going on regarding muzzleloading hunting seasons where technology advanced things past traditional/historic norms.  Check the Utah proposal and the mixed regs across states.

It is an interesting comparison.  The changes to the muzzleloading rules do not allow one to use some new technologies during the muzzleloader season.  However, one can still use those technologies during the rifle hunt.  I have the Livescope and love it. It is so fun to watch the fish chase my lure.  I also hunt the muzzleloader season and prefer the new rules that keep the hunt a little more traditional.  Maybe something is wrong with me!

[smokepoles]

An analogous discussion going on regarding muzzleloading hunting seasons where technology advanced things past traditional/historic norms.  Check the Utah proposal and the mixed regs across states.

It is an interesting comparison.  The changes to the muzzleloading rules do not allow one to use some new technologies during the muzzleloader season.  However, one can still use those technologies during the rifle hunt.  I have the Livescope and love it. It is so fun to watch the fish chase my lure.  I also hunt the muzzleloader season and prefer the new rules that keep the hunt a little more traditional.  Maybe something is wrong with me!

Another analogy would be using trail cams (especially with etransmission) or drones etc to locate game (fish someday?). No guarantee that once found the game can/will be taken, but a clear advantage nonetheless.  Look at recent and upcoming regs on those. Just saying.........

[lovetofish]

We all know that Bass and Perch along with Wipers are all predators so why does the DWR plant Tiger Muskies (almost 18,000 in 2024) in Jordanelle. Then plant Kokes that are all less then 3 inches. Makes me wonder how many survive to catchable size.

[Redrebel]

An analogous discussion going on regarding muzzleloading hunting seasons where technology advanced things past traditional/historic norms.  Check the Utah proposal and the mixed regs across states.

It is an interesting comparison.  The changes to the muzzleloading rules do not allow one to use some new technologies during the muzzleloader season.  However, one can still use those technologies during the rifle hunt.  I have the Livescope and love it. It is so fun to watch the fish chase my lure.  I also hunt the muzzleloader season and prefer the new rules that keep the hunt a little more traditional.  Maybe something is wrong with me!

Another analogy would be using trail cams (especially with etransmission) or drones etc to locate game (fish someday?). No guarantee that once found the game can/will be taken, but a clear advantage nonetheless.  Look at recent and upcoming regs on those. Just saying.........

Drones are already used in tuna fishing and other salt water species.

[FishfulThinkin]

An analogous discussion going on regarding muzzleloading hunting seasons where technology advanced things past traditional/historic norms.  Check the Utah proposal and the mixed regs across states.

It is an interesting comparison.  The changes to the muzzleloading rules do not allow one to use some new technologies during the muzzleloader season.  However, one can still use those technologies during the rifle hunt.  I have the Livescope and love it. It is so fun to watch the fish chase my lure.  I also hunt the muzzleloader season and prefer the new rules that keep the hunt a little more traditional.  Maybe something is wrong with me!

Another analogy would be using trail cams (especially with etransmission) or drones etc to locate game (fish someday?). No guarantee that once found the game can/will be taken, but a clear advantage nonetheless.  Look at recent and upcoming regs on those. Just saying.........

Drones are already used in tuna fishing and other salt water species.

True and not just to locate the fish. Drones are used to take bated lines far from shore or boats and drop into schools of Tuna.