New to the site (posting not reading). Have never fished for kokes and would appreciate any advise I can get. Gear, lakes etc.

Welcome laroof,

What made you decide to post instead of read? I only know a few kokanee lakes in eastern washington. All of them are resevoirs in the cascades and Lake Roosevelt.

Should have said; I've read a lot of good information on this site but have never asked any questions. I'm in western washington but I'll look into Roosevelt. Thanks

laroof -
Lots of kokanee lakes through out the state - in fact most large deep lakes have them. Here is a link you might find useful

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/prospects/index.htm

Click on the county of interest and reveiw the lakes paying attention to the species discription - should be able to find a number of lakes within a hour or so of your home.

Most folks fish kokanee by trolling using either leaded lines or down riggers. That said jigging and still fishing can be productive though the location is tricky to pin down. Common terminal tackle includes pop gear or more commonly today small dodgers with some thing like a wing ring baited with corn or any of the new "glup" type nuggets or maggots. Have also had reasonable luck with thin blade spoons, very small spin-glows, mini-hoochies, etc.

Good luck with your search for a "home" water. Remember to take care of your catch (I bleed or clean my fish immediately and get them on ice right away). Wonderful on the barbeque or smoked.

Tight lines
curt

Lk Stevens is the go-to lake on the west side.. Fish slow and DEEP. Good luck!

In a relativly recent issue of Salmon Trout Steelheader Bill Herzog did the most in-depth on-target articel on how to catch Kokanne I have ever seen. If you want to catch kokannee get a copy of the magazine. Hint - many librariey carry past issues of magazines.

I read that article your taking about, very good. Lake Stevens is good for kokanee, plus cauvinaugh, not sure about spelling. Samish has some to. Fishsniffer.com has a web site on kokanee fishing, with tons of information. Fished lake Blackmans today and only caught one but the lake should only get better, till the other lakes open. I just started targeting kokanee last year, and plan on fishing lake stevens alot this spring. You will need a down rigger once they go deep, which doesnt take long. If you fish lake stevens fish by airieator.
fishinwithg

Here is a link to a luhr jensen kokanee article on WL.com:

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReadArticle.aspx?id=99

You can also type in kokanee into the upper left corner search box and specify articles, there are a bunch that reference koks.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for all the input. Look forward to telling tales of the "big ones". My 7 year old is already talking trash.