There will be a few surprises in store this year. But for the most part, kokanee fishing should remain at par in most waters. Photo by Chris Shaffer.

Kokanee fishing has gathered unprecedented popularity in recent years in Northern California and some Central California waters.

There will be a few surprises in store this year, but for the most part, kokanee fishing should remain at par in most waters. On a positive note, better communication and planning between Kokanee Power, Project Kokanee and the California Department of Fish and Game will likely cure some issues that have surfaced in recent years. The goal of improving each kokanee water is heading in the right direction. California has roughly 20 or so waters that harbor kokanee populations. But some of them hold stunted fish, or ones that are just too small for sportfishing adventures. Here are California Game & Fish’s top 10 kokanee fisheries for 2007, where everyone from hardcore kokanee fanatics to first-time anglers will find excellent opportunities. These rankings are based on the size of fish, because that’s what California’s kokanee anglers want most.

1. LAKE MCCLURE
McClure isn’t a familiar name for kokanee anglers. But this year it will rise to the top of most scorecards. Three years ago, the state planted kokanee here for the first time in more than a decade. They will grow to mature size for the first time this year. The population is likely to thrive since there’s an enormous amount of feed in the reservoir.

This summer, McClure’s kokanee will have the ability to reach 20 inches or more, something that is rare in California.

“It’s not impossible that we might see 20-inch fish there. We had two-year-old fish that were bigger than 14 inches last year,” said guide Danny Layne of Fish ‘N Dan’s Guide Service.

Anglers can expect the kokanee to run 60 to 70 feet deep in July. McClure Point, the spillway, the face of the dam and into the Cottonwood Creek Arm will be prime locations to target. August will bring the kokanee down to between 75 and 100 feet.

“In 1999, at New Melones at the end of the first three-year cycle there, we caught 3-pound kokanee,” said Monte Smith, a guide with Gold Country Sportfishing. “I think the same will happen at McClure.”

Layne and Smith agreed that their top rigs were various dodgers fished in conjunction with Pro-Troll Kokanee Killers, Uncle Larry’s pink tigers, pink hoochies, Needlefish and rolled shad, all tipped with Pautzke Fire Corn.

2. DONNER
A few guides reported kokanee up to 22 inches at Donner Lake last year. Those claims weren’t 100 percent verified, but fish to 20 inches were.

Hands down, Donner has the ability to kick out the state’s largest kokanee. But it can’t compete with the number of quality fish McClure will produce.

“I can go to Stampede Reservoir and catch 20, 30, 40 fish pretty easy, but they are 12 to 14 inches long,” said Rick Kennedy of Tight Lines Guide Service. “But you can go to Donner and not get the numbers, but get the size.

“Last year, I had a handful of days when I caught limits of fish for clients. I also had days when I only caught five,” he said. “But they were 15 to 19 inches long. I think you’ll see 19-plus-inch fish this year. Not every fish you catch will be that big, but the potential is there.”

Don’t head to Donner banking on catching a limit of the state’s largest kokanee, and you won’t be disappointed. You’ll likely catch a few trophy-size kokanee this summer if you fish before 9 a.m. each day.

During the summer months, sadly, the lake isn’t big enough to cater to both water-skiers and anglers at the same time. Fish from first light to 9 and you’ll have no problems. Stay on the water any longer, and you’ll be miserable!

Kokanee fishing doesn’t skip a beat at Donner. Each year, like clockwork, anglers position themselves between China Cove and Loch Leven Lodge and run lines 30 to 60 feet deep.

Last season, Kennedy said his top-producing lures were a copper and pink dodger with a pink P-Line Sunrise Squid and a gold or silver dodger with a pink and black kokanee bug tipped with natural Fire Corn.