STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR, Utah, Sept. 21, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — It’s that time of year again, the autumnal changing colors of the leaves and the kokanee salmon turn red.
Wildlife officials are expecting a big turnout for Saturday’s kokanee spawning viewing event at Strawberry Reservoir in Wasatch County — the humans likely outnumbering the salmon.
About 2,000 people are expected for the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. event, gauging from pre-registration, Scott Root, Division of Wildlife Resources Outreach Manager for the agency’s Central Region, said Friday.
“They counted more than a thousand of the kokanee at the fish trap today.” Root has lead the Strawberry kokanee viewing event for 30 years.
Both male and female turn red for the spawning run, he said. They pair up, actually clearing a spot of sediment for fertilizing of the female’s eggs Root said — then they cover it back up, Root said.
Participants will be able to see a few salmon in the Strawberry River next to the U.S. Forest Service visitor center at Strawberry. But, if you walk to the fish trap and egg-taking facility behind the visitor center, you’ll see hundreds of the bright red fish.
Root and DWR biologists will be at the facility Saturday to show off the salmon and talk with you about the peculiar life cycle of the fish. The visitor center is located along U.S. Highway 40, about 20 miles southeast of Heber City.
“We’ll even let you hold one,” Root said. “Selfies with fish.”
In September and 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. This change is mostly to facilitate the males fighting with other males over the females, Root said. Learn more about Utah’s Wildlife Migration Initiative: wildlifemigration.utah.gov.
This year the DWR installed an underwater camera Sept. 16 to film the spawn at Strawberry.
View it here https://wildlife.utah.gov/
While the fish are exciting to see, note that you are not allowed to keep any kokanee salmon caught anywhere in Utah from Sept. 10 to Nov. 30, during the spawning season. Visitors should also not disturb the spawning fish by wading into the water, trying to pick the fish up or allowing their dogs to chase the fish. Violators could be cited.
The DWR lists seven other locations for good viewing of the spawn:
Fish Lake (Sevier County)
The DWR will also be holding a viewing event at Fish Lake, which is located about 40 miles southeast of Richfield. However, the date and time have not yet been decided, due to the variability of when the fish spawn will take place. (Kokanee spawning usually runs from late September to early October in this area.)
The viewing event will be held at the 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 Creek picnic area northeast of the lodge along Route 25.
“Kokanee have only been in Fish Lake for a few years, but they have done really 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 clips of kokanee because the water is crystal clear in this area.”
If you are unable to attend one of the DWR viewing events, you can still see kokanee salmon spawning at those locations until early October. Here are several other spots around Utah where you can see bright red kokanee, as well:
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 hike or 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. The right-hand fork can be accessed by land and requires about a 2.5-mile hike in from the Skullcrack Canyon parking area. Peak spawning time 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. However, visitors should note that high water levels this year may change where the spawn occurs compared to past years.
NORTHEASTERN UTAH
Sheep Creek (Daggett County)
Flaming Gorge is home to northeastern Utah’s largest kokanee population. Typically, the best place to view the spawning fish is from the Highway 44 bridge over Sheep Creek or the educational trail along the creek. If you see the DWR fish trap in the creek, please leave it alone. It is installed throughout the kokanee run and used to collect eggs and milt (sperm) from some of the spawning fish.
If you see any of the beautiful spawning kokanee this fall, tag @UtahDWR on social media for the chance to be featured on our channels.
