Spring Kokanee Fishing in Washington State: A Day on the Water

Beautiful Spring Day in the PNW for some Kokanee fishing!

Spring in the Pacific Northwest is pure magic, and there’s no better way to soak it in than chasing Kokanee on a pristine lake. These land-locked sockeye salmon are a blast to catch and even better on the plate. When my daughter, Holly, and her boyfriend invited Ann and me for an afternoon of Kokanee fishing, I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend a June day.

We had a blast on the water!

We met them at the lake around 1:00 p.m., the sun high and the air buzzing with springtime energy. The scene was straight out of a postcard: crystal-clear blue water sparkled below, vibrant green forests hugged the shoreline, and snow-capped mountains loomed majestically in the distance. The Pacific Northwest doesn’t get more picture-perfect than this.

I rigged up with a tried-and-true setup: a pink hoochie from Mack’s Lure, tipped with corn and a PowerBait maggot for extra enticement. A 2-ounce spin sinker and a small pink-and-silver dodger completed the rig, dropped 75 feet behind the boat as we trolled the Kokanee sweet spot. It didn’t take long for the rods to start dancing—those silver beauties were hungry! The action was non-stop, with Kokanee hitting hard and keeping us on our toes.

Big Mack Chillin in the front of the boat!

After a hot streak, we pulled up to a sandy shore for a break. The dogs splashed and played in the shallows, their joy as infectious as the fishing fever. Recharged, we made one final pass on the water, and Holly stole the show. She had the hot hand, hauling in four more Kokanee to cap off our day. That girl’s a natural!

Rhea liked to stay close to Ann and watch the action.

Days like this—filled with family, fishing, and the stunning beauty of the Pacific Northwest—are what make spring in Washington State unforgettable. Grab your gear, hit the lake, and make your own memories with some Kokanee fishing!

Nice Haul of Kokanee for the day!