Devels Creek Res.

[curt69]

A friend caught this fish last week . After he took the picture they let it go because they thought it would taste bad . I thought the spawn would be over and all the red ones dead . It was 16" long . Curt G.
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[cpierce]

Don't they usually spawn in late August to October? Maybe he didn't get the memo in time!!!
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[iliketofish]

That poor fish is probably REALLY lonely [pirate][frown]
I do think they look cool in spawning colors like that though!
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[jeremypeace]

I caught one in september! They are cool to look at my friend took it home and cooked it up he took one bite and gave the rest to his cat! He said it was terrible..
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[drowning_flys]

beautiful fish [cool]
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[Kodiak1]

That is really strange. Never heard of such a late spawner. Wonder what a fish biologist would say? Mike
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[curt69]

I wish I would have caught it for the contest . Curt G.
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[PIKEMAN99]

What contest are you talking about Curt? The Devils Creek contest?
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[Got_Bait]

My friends dad caught one like that a week or 10 days ago out of there. At first, I thought it might have been the same fish, but I guess not because he told me it was an 18 incher! [laugh]
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[jigs]

i know a guy who caught one 2 or 3 years ago also. he kept it said it was awful
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[MMDon]

We see holdovers like that every year under the ice. I don't think they will live out the winter as I've never seen them be able to reabsorb their spawning transformations.
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[curt69]

I am talking about our Idaho Ice Fishing Contest .Curt G.
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[Idaho]

I don't think that Red fish would win any money. I am bringing some BIG fish down from Chesterfield. The friday before the contest. Alive. In my cooler [mad]

Idaho
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[PIKEMAN99]

Sorry Curt. I thought you were talking about the Devil's crrek contest.

Hey Idaho pick me a couple too huh? I'll take a 20 and a 21 LOL
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[monstermasher]

Well as we both know his 18 inches could be anywhere from 12 to 16!![sly]
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[DeeCee]

[quote cpierce]Don't they usually spawn in late August to October? Maybe he didn't get the memo in time!!![/quote]

That's an excellent question cpierce!. The particular fish you viewed is a kokanee indeed but a winter spawning strain. In Idaho there are two different strains of kokanee. The one strain most people know of is the fall spawning strain which we catch in Ririe or Palasaides or at Mackay Reservoirs. However, sometimes the Fish and Game Department plants the winter strain (spawns Dec thru February) in Devil Creek Reservoir and used to plant in Deep Creek Reservoir. I caught a female of this winter spawning strain years ago at Devil Creek Reservoir in January. It had a green head and yellowish-brown body and was a female. The one in the picture is a male with the green head and red body. And yes mine was terrible tasting!!!! Took one bite and YECK! When they are in their spawning stage the raging hormones that transforms their bodies into scary creatures with fangs ruins the flavor of the meat. Either have them mounted for the wall or turn them back, eating is out of the question. I told a fish and game officer I really preferred the fall spawning strain (spawns late September thru October). That way they are nice to catch in the summer and winter ice fishing. The adults who have spawned in the fall are gone and don't show up in the ice fishing catch like the one in the picture.

DeeCee
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[AverysAdventure]

Learned something new today - thanks DC!
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[DeeCee]

You are welcome Avery! If we are all continuing to learn it's a sure sign we are not a "know it all smart alec" and there is hope for us all. Have a good day!

DeeCee
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