3. WHISKEYTOWN
Whiskeytown Lake has topped the kokanee charts for the last five years, partly because the DFG manages the lake so well. The kokanee spawn is monitored, and depending the number of fish that spawn, the DFG may or may not plant kokanee to supplement the population.

It’s been a highly effective management plan, and the only one of its kind in the Golden State.

Since the population is so well monitored, there hasn’t been a competition for food in the last few years. That’s translated into larger kokanee. Regardless, there will be quality fish available, likely up to 19 inches. And anglers should be able to catch limits.

“We’ve had a lot of good kokanee years up here,” says kokanee guru and guide Gary Mirales of Shasta Tackle Company. “I think that we’ll see some really nice kokes.” He said he’ll target the coldwater curtain, the dam, alongside Highway 299 and the Whiskey Creek Bridge, with Sling Blades and Kok-A-Nuts.

4. NEW MELONES
The last few years, New Melones has remained one of California’s most prized kokanee fisheries. Experts believe this year will be no different. “It’s going to be on fire. It’s going to be the biggest kokanee we’ve seen in three to four years here,” Layne said. “I think you might see 19-inch fish.”

The number of kokanee planted has been reduced from 100,000 fish to 40,000 fish, said Layne, and there’s less competition for food out there.

On the other hand, expect 25 to 30 boats on a slow day and on the weekend, up to 80 boats chasing Melones’ kokes. Don’t fret! Even with the high pressure, there’s still enough kokanee to go around for everybody.

“It’s one of the premier kokanee lakes in California,” Layne said. “But it handles the pressure pretty well.”

This summer, Layne believes kokanee will average 17 to 18 inches and could run near 2 pounds. He recommends using last year’s mainstay, a Vance’s chartreuse dodger with a UV Apex dipped in red Pautzke Kokanee Fuel or a Sep’s watermelon sidekick with a pink hoochie tipped with pink Fire Corn.

In July, anglers will want to target the 50-foot range, before moving down to between 75 and 100 feet in August. July marks the time when Glory Hole Point, Rose Island, South Island and the spillway are good, whereas in August, you’ll want to relocate to South Island, Bear Cove and the Peoria Creek Arm.

5. INDIAN VALLEY
Longtime guide Rich Tipton of Lucky Strike Charters believes that Indian Valley will again rank among the top kokanee fisheries. Anglers must take their boats on a slow drive on a dirt road, but that keeps most from making the trip. Crowds will be light, even when action peaks.

“We are already catching good kokanee right now while we are fishing for trout,” said Tipton earlier in the year. “When the water gets warmer, those fish will grow one inch a month here. It’s going to be fantastic. We are going to see 18.5 and 19-inch fish this year again.”

Tipton predicted Indian Valley will kick out some of the biggest kokanee in the state. He said they don’t overpopulate the lake, so there isn’t that much competition for food.

At Indian Valley, anglers will notice kokanee in shallower area than most NorCal waters. In July and August, they will run 40 to 60 feet deep. Tipton said Sep’s pink butt and chartreuse butt dodger was his best setup when fished with Kokanee Kandy.

“Every year it changes, though,” Tipton noted. “The year before, the Apex was my best lure there.”

6. DON PEDRO RESERVOIR
Don Pedro Reservoir is one of the state’s wild cards. There’s been a gradual decrease in size of the kokanee here over the last two years. But guide Monte Smith believes that’s all set to change. He said that in 2006, the normal plant of 10,000 kokanee was reduced to 3,900 fish, meaning there will be more food for the kokanee this year.

The relaxed stocking numbers is a good thing. Don Pedro has plenty of natural stocking going on, therefore, planting isn’t entirely necessary.

“I think Don Pedro will be better than last year. The kokanee were on the smaller side last year. It’s been two years since we caught 2-pound kokanee there, but this year we should see some 16.5 inch fish,” Smith said.