Kokanee salmon in Utah
Statewide limits, water rules, records and DWR ratings for kokanee salmon in Utah.
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Utah Kokanee salmon rules and waters
Unless a water says otherwise, kokanee salmon count under "Kokanee salmon" in the 2027 guidebook, where the limit column reads "See trout limit". Nothing changes for it between the 2026 edition (valid through December 31, 2026) and the 2027 one.
DWR's species lists put it on 14 built Utah water pages, 7 with the word likely. 6 entries in the guidebook's Rules for specific waters name it, starting with Causey Reservoir. Across the record categories DWR prints 3 rows for it.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
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| Statewide row | 2027 daily | 2026 daily | Note as printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kokanee salmon | See trout limit | same | Kokanee salmon are part of the total trout limit. Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30. |
The limits here are from the 2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, which takes effect January 1, 2027; the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook stays in force through December 31, 2026 and differs only where a row says so.
Statewide you may hold two limits; the Flaming Gorge rule allows only a single limit.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Utah Admin. Code R657-13 (R657-13-19), last changed June 23, 2026 as printed on the DWR rules page, read November 11, 2026.
Utah kokanee and the autumn possession ban
Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30 to protect kokanee during the spawning season.
The closure is statewide and sits in both guidebooks, so it runs the same way in 2026 and 2027.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 6 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
The kokanee salmon entries in the Rules for specific waters
| Water as printed | County | Rule lines | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causey Reservoir | Weber County | (NEW) Limit 8 kokanee salmon (in addition to the daily limit of 4 trout). | NEW 2027 |
| Flaming Gorge Reservoir | Daggett County | Excluding lake trout, a limit of 4 trout or kokanee salmon (a combined total); no more than 3 of these may be kokanee salmon. | both editions |
| Lost Creek Reservoir | Morgan County | Limit 4 trout or kokanee salmon (a combined total). Kokanee salmon of any size may be harvested as part of the limit. | both editions |
| Porcupine Reservoir | Cache County | Limit 12 trout and kokanee salmon, only 4 may be rainbow, cutthroat or brown trout (a combined total). To take 12 fish, you must possess at least 8 kokanee. | both editions |
| Stateline Reservoir | Summit County | (NEW) Limit 8 kokanee salmon (in addition to the daily limit of 4 trout). | NEW 2027 |
| Strawberry Reservoir | Wasatch County | Limit 4 trout or kokanee salmon (a combined total). | both editions |
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 35-58 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Utah record kokanee salmon in each DWR category
| Category | Weight | Length | Water | Year | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catch and keep (by weight) | 6 lbs. 5 oz. | 25 ¼" | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | 2015 | |
| Catch and release (by length) | – | 26 ⅝" | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | 2004 | |
| Spearfishing | 4 lbs. | 22" | Fish Lake | 2020 |
Utah state record fish as DWR lists them (records page), read November 11, 2026.
Where the DWR planner places kokanee salmon
Ratings come straight from the Fish Utah species lists, with stocked added for waters that show a planting row.
- Flaming Gorge ReservoirDWR: likely; Daggett County
- Strawberry ReservoirDWR: likely; Wasatch County
- Jordanelle ReservoirDWR: likely; Wasatch County
- Fish LakeDWR: likely; Sevier County
- Electric LakeDWR: likely; Emery County
- Porcupine ReservoirDWR: likely; Cache County
- Causey ReservoirDWR: likely; Weber County
- Rockport ReservoirDWR: possible; Summit County
- Moon LakeDWR: possible; Duchesne County
- East Canyon ReservoirDWR: possible; Morgan County
- Lost Creek ReservoirDWR: possible; Morgan County
- Stateline ResDWR: possible; Summit County
- Mill Meadow ReservoirDWR: stocked; Wayne County
- Enterprise ReservoirsDWR: stocked; Washington County
Utah DWR Fish Utah planner (dwrapps.utah.gov), read November 11, 2026.
Photo of Flaming Gorge Reservoir: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 4.0
What Utah anglers puzzle over about Kokanee salmon
How many kokanee salmon may I keep in Utah?
Unless a water says otherwise, kokanee salmon count under "Kokanee salmon" in the 2027 guidebook, where the limit column reads "See trout limit". Nothing changes for it between the 2026 edition (valid through December 31, 2026) and the 2027 one.
Any Utah special-water entries for kokanee salmon?
6 entries in the guidebook's Rules for specific waters name it, starting with Causey Reservoir.
Is there a Utah record for kokanee salmon?
It stands at 6 lbs. 5 oz., taken at Flaming Gorge Reservoir in 2015 (catch and keep (by weight)).
Where in Utah does Fish Utah place kokanee salmon?
14 pages, beginning with Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Strawberry Reservoir and Jordanelle Reservoir.
Is a Utah kokanee salmon mine to keep?
It is not among the protected natives.
What does a Utah license for kokanee salmon cost?
Anglers 12 and older need a Utah fishing license; both the 2026 and 2027 guidebooks print $40 for a resident 365-day adult license and $120 for a nonresident. Wyoming residents can add the $59 Flaming Gorge, Utah reciprocal permit printed in the guidebook.
How do I enter a kokanee salmon for a Utah record?
DWR keeps five record categories and takes new entries through its records page.
May I keep yesterday's kokanee salmon plus today's?
Two limits in coolers and campers, one at Flaming Gorge.