By Bill Lentz

Freshwater sockeye salmon, known as kokanee, are popular for their fighting ability, especially on light tackle, and are considered to be one of the best-tasting freshwater fish.

Here's a list of California's 10 best kokanee lakes listed in order of when they can (and should) begin to be fished from early spring to fall.

Kokanee weighing up to 2 pounds (considered trophy size) can be caught by June. Kokes here fall for a variety of lures (tipped with white corn, of course), including spinners in greens and oranges run behind small dodgers.

Kristen Lentz used an orange/green French Ticklure to catch two kokanee (left), and a No. 1 Needlefish in fire tiger attracted the pair of chinook salmon. All were caught at Lake Berryessa. Photo by Bill Lentz

My wife and I found kokes on the east side of the big island near the center of the lake in 2003. The most productive lure for us was a French Ticklure in orange and green with a gold blade. Other productive trolling areas are near the dam, Markeley Cove and Skier's Cove.

A free public boat ramp and a 120-site campground (Spanish Flat) is off Knoxville Road from Highway 128.

Beginning in early April, Pardee begins producing limit or near-limit fishing, with most kokanee found at the 30-foot level. Look to the dam, mouth of the Mokelumne River, and up in the arm itself for the silvery fish. Use spinners in white or green, with nickel or gold blades, or small spoons in red behind chrome dodgers. A white Ticklure has been productive at Pardee.

From Highway 49, take Stony Creek Road to the recreation entrance. From Highway 12 east take Paloma Road to Pardee Dam Road, then left at Stony Creek. Fishing and launch fees apply. Campsites are inside the recreation entrance. Call for reservations.

TROPHY KOKES! Whiskeytown Reservoir, near Redding, grew the largest kokanee in the state in 2003 and should hold trophy fish in 2004. By May of last year, fish had reached 17 inches and 2 pounds, and by the end of July they were up to 22 inches and 3 1/2 pounds. Pink is the hot lure color, and make sure your reel has a good drag and is filled with 6- to 8-pound-test. Concentrate your trolling near the dam and near the Highway 299 bridge.   New Melones Reservoir will have 2-pound kokes by July that should be down 45 to 65 feet. Although many types of lures will work, I've done best with spinners, running them without dodgers on ultralight gear. Try the point on the south side of the spillway and the east side of Rose Island.   Stampede Reservoir should have kokes to 2 pounds by June that should be at 30 to 40 feet. Gary Coe used a pink Kok-a-nut behind tandem sling blades and trolled fast for the silvery torpedoes there in 2003. If possible, fish during the week here to beat the crowds. Arrive at the boat ramp early on the weekends.   Lake Tahoe grew the California record kokanee, a 4-pound, 13-ounce fish. Tackle shop rumors abound of secretive fishermen catching kokes to 3 pounds in recent years. (I'd be secretive too!) Fish here from late August through September for the largest kokes. Good spots include the mouth of the Truckee River and Meeks Bay. -- Bill Lentz

By July, kokanee to 18 inches and weighing more than 2 pounds are common there, and are caught on a variety of kokanee lures, including Hoochies (a small squid imitation) and kokanee bugs. I've had great success using Ticklures in pinks and oranges by themselves or in combination with green. Most lures are run behind small dodgers in various colors.

Look for limits by the end of April and kokes to be from 18 to 30 feet deep then. By July they may be down 40 to 60 feet. Productive areas include Rose Island, the dam, the spillway (separate from the dam), and up the Stanislaus River arm.

A free public boat ramp and numerous campsites can be found by exiting Highway 49 at Tuttletown.

Public boat ramps are near the Highway 49 bridge and by the dam. From Highway 132, follow Bonds Flat Road to ther, Don Pedro used to grow the largest kokes in the state (3 to 4 pounds), so its excellent kokanee habitat should allow for bigger fish once again.

In 2004 near limits should be had by the end of April on a variety of popular kokanee lures, including the old stand-by Wedding Ring dam. Camping is available at Blue Oaks Campground on the south side of the dam.

Limits of these broad-shouldered fish should be attainable by the first week of May. Look for fish to be from 10 to 30 feet deep then. Productive spots include the dam area, under the Highway 299 bridge and in front of the Oak Bottom boat ramp. A variety of koke lures work well here as long as they're pink.

Kokanee Power's Ken Hopper catches limits sing a pink Hoochie behind a gold Vance's dodger.

My wife and I limited there last May on fish that averaged 2 pounds. We used the French Ticklure in pink, pink/green and pink/copper. We also caught them on fire tiger Needlefish, pink Kokanee Kandy and pink Hoochies, all trailed behind chrome dodgers.

Take Highway 299 west from I-5 in Redding. There are public ramps off Whiskey Creek Road and at Brandy Creek; launch for a fee at Oak Bottom. All lake users must pay a daily-use fee at Whiskeytown. Campgrounds are at Brandy Creek and Oak Bottom; call 800-365-2267 for reservations.