Where to see kokanee salmon in Summit County

Spawning kokanee salmon in Utah's Strawberry River near Strawberry Reservoir. Photo: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — The transition to fall brings more than a delightful palette of colors to northern Utah.

In the early fall in Summit County, kokanee salmon change their colors from a shade of silver to a bright red.

This is done before they travel up streams to spawn, in order to be easy to spot in the waters where they lay their eggs.

Males also acquire humped backs, hooked jaws, and elongated teeth during their spawning transformation.

Below is where you find these fish in Summit County:

• Jordanelle Reservoir and Provo River — The kokanee that live in Jordanelle 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.
• Smith and Morehouse Reservoir — You should be able to see some kokanee salmon during their run in either Smith and Morehouse Creek or in Red Pine Creek. Late September to mid-October is usually the best time to see the fish.
• Stateline Reservoir — 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.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is holding a free viewing event at Strawberry Reservoir in Wasatch County.

This event will be held Saturday, Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the U.S. Forest Service visitor center at Strawberry Reservoir. The visitor center is located along U.S. Highway 40, about 20 miles southeast of Heber City. Though the visitor center will be closed, the restrooms will be open during the event.

Participants will be able to see a few salmon in the Strawberry River next to the visitor center. 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. DWR biologists will be at the facility to show you the salmon and talk with you about the peculiar life cycle of the fish.

“Kokanee are easily visible in the river at the visitor center,” DWR Central Region Outreach Manager Scott Root said. “Once you arrive at the fish trap, you can ask questions about the salmon. If you want, you can even touch one.”

If the visitor center parking lot fills up, overflow parking is available south of the visitor center.

While the event is free, participants are asked to register for it on Eventbrite.

For more information about this free event, call the DWR’s Springville office at 801-491-5678.

While the fish are exciting to see, 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, allowing their dogs to chase the fish or by trying to pick the fish up.