IDFG considers increased kokanee harvest
April 26, 2014
Continued improvement of North Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille kokanee population has the Idaho Department of Fish and Game considering an increase to the harvest limit.

As hoped, the kokanee population has responded well to intensive efforts to reduce predators. Lake trout have been dramatically reduced thanks to angler harvest and lake trout netting efforts, and as a result, survival of juvenile kokanee has increased and the population has significantly increased.

Jim Fredericks, fishery manager for the IDFG’s Panhandle Region, said the agency is considering an increase from the current limit of 6 to the general regional limit of 15 per day. The current fishing rules, which took effect in January 2013 would be in effect through 2015 unless the IDFG Commission approves a mid-cycle change.

"We shifted from to a two-year to a three-year rule cycle in 2010, and we recognized there would be times we wouldn't want to wait until a new rule cycle to make a change." Fredericks said. "When we opened the kokanee fishery in 2013, we took a very cautious approach with the six-fish limit, anticipating if the population continued to grow we could consider changing the rules mid-cycle."

Last fall, an estimated 1.2 million mature kokanee survived to spawn, which made it one of the highest spawner returns seen in the past 40 years and was about a four-fold increase from 2012. All indications are that there should be even more mature fish in 2014.

Kokanee, or landlocked sockeye salmon, are not only a popular sportfish, but are the foundation for the trophy rainbow fishery and the bull trout population. For these reasons, maintaining a healthy kokanee population is a top priority.

"We wouldn't propose an increase if we weren't entirely certain the population could withstand the additional harvest." Fredericks said. "The kokanee population is back to being at or above the level it was in the 1980s and 90s when the kokanee limit was 25 per day, so we're very comfortable with an increase to 15".

IDFG monitors the kokanee population by midwater trawl netting and hydroacoustic surveys. The population surveys, in combination with an angler creel survey running throughout 2014 will enable biologists to closely monitor the population as well as angler harvest.

Though Fredericks doesn't expect to see any downturn in the kokanee population, if something unexpected did happen IDFG could use the same process to implement a more conservative limit. According to Fredericks, if approved by the commission the increased limits would remain in effect through December 2015.

Fredericks invites any anglers who have questions or comments about the possible rule change to contact him at (208) 769-1414 or send an e-mail to jim.fredericks@idfg.idaho.gov, before May 10th. If an increased limit is supported by anglers, IDFG staff will present the idea to the Commission at their May 14-16th meeting. If approved, the rule would be effective immediately.