Full bulletin: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UTDWR/bulletins/42a98b3
Kokanee salmon are running in Utah waterways this month, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has scheduled two free public viewing events for anyone hoping to see the fish before the migration window closes. Bright-red kokanee push up tributary streams and rivers each autumn to spawn, and late September marks the peak of that run at two of the state’s most popular kokanee fisheries.
The first event takes place Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Strawberry Reservoir Visitor Center, where DWR staff will be on hand as kokanee migrate up the Strawberry River. Strawberry Reservoir is one of Utah’s premier kokanee fisheries, and the visitor center overlook offers a direct view of the spawning run without requiring a hike or a boat.
The second event follows a week later at Fish Lake, on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 3 to 7 p.m. That gathering is centered on the Twin Creek picnic area, a family-friendly setting where salmon can be seen traveling upstream to spawn in shallow water close to shore. Both events are free and open to the public, though the DWR is directing attendees to register through Eventbrite ahead of time to help staff plan for turnout.
Kokanee are landlocked sockeye salmon, stocked and managed in several Utah reservoirs, and their fall spawning migration is one of the more visible wildlife events on the state’s calendar. Fish turn a deep red and migrate into connecting streams in large numbers, drawing anglers, photographers, and families to accessible viewing spots for a few weeks each year. The runs at Strawberry Reservoir and Fish Lake are among the most reliable in the state and typically peak in mid-to-late September, though timing can shift with water temperature and flow.
Anyone planning to attend either event should dress for changing fall weather, since both sites sit at elevation and mornings and evenings can turn cold quickly. Parking at the Strawberry Reservoir Visitor Center and the Twin Creek picnic area at Fish Lake is limited on event days, so early arrival is recommended. Pets should be kept leashed, and visitors are asked to view the migrating fish from the bank rather than entering the water, since spawning kokanee are stressed by disturbance and handling.
Both events are free, but reservations are being managed through the DWR’s Eventbrite listings linked in the original bulletin. Anyone hunting or fishing near either reservoir this fall should check current Utah fishing proclamations before heading out, since kokanee limits and closures can vary by water.
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