In the fall, mature 3-5 year old kokanee instinctively head upriver or to the graveled shoals in lakes in search of spawning areas. During the spawn, both males and females turn reddish in color. Males develop a hooked-jaw and humped back while females maintain their regular shape. After spawning, the kokanee die; depositing eggs to produce the next generation is the last step of a mature kokanee’s life.

If you visit the DOW’s Roaring Judy Hatchery in the fall you can see kokanee in large numbers. These fish travel about 25 miles from Blue Mesa Reservoir (west of Gunnison) to the Roaring Judy Hatchery. This is the longest distance kokanee travel in the state. You may see their fins breaking the surface of the water—or even fish jumping out of the water—as they stack up at the bases of small waterfalls before continuing farther upstream. Although it can be easy to see the fish through the water, it is intriguing to see them from another perspective—underwater!

This video clip provides that underwater experience, showing kokanee gathering in a stream pool before completing their journey. The video clip also shows a close-up of both a female kokanee and an old male with a large hooked-jaw. You might notice that some of the fish have a white “fungus” on them. Please note this is not a disease, but a normal part of the degeneration process of the fish’s tissues as it nears the end of its life. These changes in the color, shape, and condition of the kokanee are all part of the kokanee’s natural spawning cycle.
 
Even though it is legal to fish for Kokanee, special snagging seasons are offered in some areas during the spawning runs. Please see the fishing regulations for details about specific waters.

As with viewing any other wildlife species, please watch these fish from a distance. Do not enter the water with spawning Kokanee, even if you are not fishing.