So you’re planning a trip to Sheep Creek in Daggett County to catch a glimpse of the red kokanee salmon. Here’s some information from the Division of Wildlife Resources to know: The Flaming Gorge kokanee salmon population contributes to Utah’s statewide hatchery egg production. If you see the DWR fish trap in the creek, please don’t disturb it, and avoid the stream section below the trap. Disturbing these fish could cause them to die sooner or avoid the trap, reducing the number of eggs the DWR can collect for future kokanee salmon production. The trap remains installed throughout the kokanee run and is used to collect eggs and milt from some of the spawning fish. These spawning efforts are critical to providing kokanee fisheries for both Utah and Wyoming. “Fish will be released upstream of the DWR fish trap after the collection and spawning process is complete and from there, they will migrate upstream to more accessible viewing areas,” shares DWR Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick. “While the fish are exciting to see, it is important to remember that you are not allowed to keep any kokanee salmon caught anywhere in Utah from September 10 to November 30, during the spawning season…Most kokanee populations in the state are reliant on natural spawning, so stepping on gravel where kokanee are spawning will kill the eggs that have already been deposited. Violators could be cited for harassing the fish.”
Photo: DWR