Salmon – Drink of Jesus

Salt Lake City — Autumn brings a lot of beautiful colors to Utah’s landscape, and driving to see the leaves change color is a popular activity for many locals. However, trees aren’t the only things that turn a brilliant shade of red in the fall in Utah — kokanee salmon do as well.

In September and early October, kokanee salmon — which are a shade of silver most of the year — change to a bright red before they travel up rivers and streams to spawn. Their red color makes the fish easy to spot in the waters where they lay their eggs. The males also acquire humped backs, hooked jaws and elongated teeth during their spawning transformation.

These unique fish can migrate up to 20 miles each year during spawning. Visit the Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative website to learn more about these important migrations and barriers that can prevent them.

“While the fish are exciting to see, it is important to remember that you are not allowed to keep any kokanee salmon caught anywhere in Utah from Sept. 10 to Nov. 30, during the spawning season,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said. “Some waterbodies have even earlier tributary closures, so anglers should be sure to check the Utah Fishing Guidebook when planning their trips. Visitors to these areas should also make sure not to disturb the spawning fish by wading into the water, trying to pick up the fish or allowing their dogs to chase the fish. Most kokanee populations in the state are reliant on natural spawning, so stepping on gravel where kokanee are spawning will kill the eggs that have already been deposited. Violators could be cited for harassing the fish.”

If you’d like to see these fish during their unique transformation, here is where to go in Utah:

Strawberry Reservoir (Wasatch County)

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is again hosting a free viewing event and educational opportunity to see the kokanee salmon. The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the U.S. Forest Service visitor center at Strawberry Reservoir. The visitor center is located along U.S. Highway 40, about 20 miles southeast of Heber City.

Participants will be able to see a few salmon in the Strawberry River next to the visitor center. But, if you walk to the fish trap and egg-taking facility behind the visitor center, you’ll see a lot of the bright red fish. DWR biologists will be at the facility to show you the salmon and talk with you about the incredible life cycle of these fish.

“Kokanee are easily visible at this viewing location,” DWR Central Region Outreach Manager Michael Packer said. “Once you reach the fish trap, you can chat with our team about the salmon and get a front-row view. Experiencing these remarkable fish up close has become a favorite autumn tradition for many Utah families.”

If the visitor center parking lot fills up, overflow parking is available southwest of the visitor center.

While the event is free, participants are asked to register in advance on Eventbrite. For more information about the event, call the DWR Springville office at 801-491-5678. If you miss the event, you will also be able to watch a livestream of the kokanee salmon at the fish trap on the DWR YouTube channel from Sept. 13-20.

Visitors who can’t attend the event can also see the kokanee salmon in this area on their own throughout September.

Fish Lake (Sevier County)

The DWR will also be holding a viewing event at Fish Lake on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 3 to 7 p.m. Fish Lake is located about 40 miles southeast of Richfield.

The viewing event will be held at the newly renovated boardwalk near the Fish Lake Lodge, and participants will be able to see the fish swimming up Twin Creeks, a tributary to Fish Lake. The Fish Lake Lodge is located at 2 N. State Route 25, Fish Lake. Parking is available at the Twin Creeks picnic area, northeast of the lodge along Route 25.

“Kokanee have now been in Fish Lake for about 10 years and have done well,” Southern Region Outreach Manager Adam Kavalunas said. “The boardwalk provides a great view of the spawning fish. This can be a great location to take pictures or video of kokanee because the water is crystal clear in this area.”

While the event is free, attendees are asked to register in advance on Eventbrite. Visitors who can’t attend the event can go see the kokanee salmon in this area on their own, as well, throughout October.

Here are several other spots around Utah where you can go to see bright red kokanee on your own this fall:

Central Utah

Jordanelle Reservoir and Provo River (Summit County)

The kokanee in Jordanelle Reservoir spawn in the Provo River, above the Rock Cliff recreation area. The recreation area is located on the eastern tip of the reservoir, 2 miles west of Francis. The Rock Cliff area has several trails that lead to the river’s edge and a bridge that crosses the river, where you can view the salmon. Spawning usually runs through the month of September and peaks about the middle of the month.

Northern Utah

Causey Reservoir (Weber County)

You must paddle to see kokanee salmon at Causey Reservoir. You’ll find viewing opportunities at the left-hand and right-hand forks of the South Fork of the Ogden River, which connects to the reservoir. The left-hand fork is not accessible over land — you must use a stand-up paddleboard, kayak or canoe to get there. In years past, hikers could see spawning fish at the right-hand fork by hiking in from the Skullcrack Canyon parking area, but the lot is currently closed during the Causey Improvement Project. Peak spawning time in this area is the middle of September.

Smith and Morehouse Reservoir (Summit County)

You should be able to see some kokanee salmon as they swim up either Smith and Morehouse Creek or Red Pine Creek. Late September to mid-October is usually the best time to see the fish.

Stateline Reservoir (Summit County)

This reservoir on the north slope of the Uinta Mountains — about a half-mile from the Utah-Wyoming state line — offers great kokanee-viewing opportunities. The fish are typically small, but very abundant at this location. Fish run up the east fork of Smith’s Fork, which feeds into the north end of the reservoir. Peak spawning time is the middle of September.

Southeastern Utah

Electric Lake (Emery County)

At the north end of Electric Lake, the main tributary splits into Boulger Creek and Upper Huntington Creek. Salmon run up both creeks starting in early September, and the spawning season lasts until the end of October. However, the best viewing opportunities at Electric Lake are typically during the first half of October.

Both creeks are typically accessible from the pulloff on the north end of the lake, which runs to the boat ramp. Upper Huntington Creek runs several miles north, right along state Route 264. There are many small pull-off areas, and the creek is very close to the road.

Northeastern Utah

Sheep Creek (Daggett County)

The Flaming Gorge kokanee salmon population contributes to Utah’s statewide hatchery egg production. If you see the DWR fish trap in the creek, please don’t disturb it, and avoid the stream section below the trap. Disturbing these fish could cause them to die sooner or avoid the trap, reducing the number of eggs the DWR can collect for future kokanee salmon production. The trap remains installed throughout the kokanee run and is used to collect eggs and milt (sperm) from some of the spawning fish. These spawning efforts are critical to providing kokanee fisheries for both Utah and Wyoming.

Fish will be released upstream of the DWR fish trap after the collection and spawning process is complete and from there, they will migrate upstream to more accessible viewing areas.

Source: Where to see red kokanee salmon in Utah this fall

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