This question has been asked several times over the past 15 years, AND it reminds me that it's time to share the answer with our new members and others too...It's a long one...so get comfortable

     In California our kokanee do not grow to different or larger sizes based simply on genetics.
For the most part kokanee reach larger sizes by eating like pigs. More important than the genetics is the availability of proper water temperatures, and available food supplies.

     After the DFG plants the kokanee as smolts, Mother Nature gives us some big kokanee to harvest in two to three short years.(in a few cases they live longer) Generally these yeaqr classes are the largest kokes that the lake will offer. Several years after planting fish into a given lake (normally 3 to 6 years), the average size of a fully mature spawning-sized kokanee averages out to a length that is determined based upon food availability and water conditions and temperature. In California, it is possible to catch fully mature spawning kokes from 6 to 8 inches and at several locations kokes in the 18 to 20 inch plus range too as well as everything in between.

     The smaller the population of kokes the larger the fish. The greater the food sources available in lakes the bigger the fish. Predator fish keep populations of kokanee in check at some lakes and that equals fewer but larger fish. It is important to not OVERPLANT LAKES. Overstocking generally causes a stunted or shorter fish because of the competition for food. Some lakes have created self-sustaining populations of kokanee...the fish spawn in small tributaries that have sufficient flows and food supply. Often the reproduction of the naturally spawning kokanee causes a dramatic increase in the kokanee population and fish become stunted. In some regions DFG adjusts plant numbers based on estimated populations to prevent overstocking.

     The fewer the fish, the larger the body of water, the more available food equals a larger sized mature fish.

     GOOD GENETICS CAN'T HURT and you can bet that many states including California are researching what strains grow to the largest sizes, and why do some strains reach maturity at 3 years and others at 4 or even more years and more... Annually there are conventions where Fish and Game and Fish and Wildlife Departments from all over the west and Canada meet and discuss their findings regarding raising kokanee salmon.

     Our DFG stays on top of the latest information related to kokanee salmon and our organization stands ready to help and financially support the DFG in maintaining and expanding kokanee salmon as a favored gamefish in California.

Sep Hendrickson

Check out California Sportsmen Radio Show with Sep Hendrickson every Saturday Morning from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Sports 1140 AM.
www.seps.com