Kokanee

Also known as: Kickininee, little redfish, silver trout, landlocked sockeye and blueback
B.C. record: The present world record of 4.2 kg (9.2 lbs) was caught in Okanagan Lake (Region 8) in 1988.
Average size: 20 - 25 cm (8 - 10 in), 0.1 - 0.2 kg (0.2 - 0.4 lbs)

What they look like: Kokanee look very much like sockeye salmon. In non-breeding condition, they have bright silver sides and a dark grey to blue back, sometimes with a few dark markings on the dorsal fin. The anal fin has a long base and the trailing edge is quite angled rather than square, a feature that is often used to distinguish it from char or trout. During spawning season kokanee change colour, usually turning crimson with a green head, but sometimes black. The males develop long jaws, hooked snouts, large teeth and a slight hump forms behind their head. Spawning females are not as colourful as the males and their overall shape does not change.

Where they live: Populations of native kokanee are abundant and widespread in B.C.; they are found in most of our major systems except the Yukon, Liard and lower Peace drainages. Intolerant of warm water conditions, kokanee live in cooler waters 5 - 30 metres below the lake surface and undergo unusual vertical migrations at dawn and dusk to feed on surface zooplankton and insects. During the winter they remain at mid water depths.

What they eat: Kokanee feed almost exclusively on zooplankton, tiny aquatic animals from the size of a pinprick to the size of a small fish hook. They will also eat aquatic insects, and freshwater shrimp when available.

Find detailed information in the Ministry of Environment's Fish Facts Factsheets: > MORE INFO