Tuesday, September 25, 2012

DON'T SNAG THAT FISH

The kokanee salmon are spawning in the Green River. If you are even the slightest bit tempted to snag one of those large, red, spawning kokanee, a word to the wise - don’t
Snagging is an attempt to take a fish in such a manner that the fish does not take the hook voluntarily in its mouth. In the “old days” it was legal to snag fish and consequently, many vulnerable spawning fish were taken. Snagging fish in Wyoming is illegal.
Each year Wyoming Game and Fish Department game wardens issue warnings and citations for snagging kokanee on the Green River and Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The Game and Fish is asking for help from parents to get the message across to children, as most warnings are typically “Early run kokanee are starting to change color and congregate in some of their favorite spawning areas in the Green River,” says Green River Game Warden Duane Kerr. “Anglers who aggressively jig for kokanee this time of year should be aware that snagging kokanee or any fish is illegal. So far, we have only had one report of someone trying to net spawning kokanee.” Kokanee are fall spawners and begin running the Green River in late August. There are two distinct strains of kokanee in the Green River, an early run strain, which spawns in September, and a late run strain, which spawns in October. The spawning fish can’t eat, as their stomach is absorbed. After spawning is complete, all kokanee die. Their decaying carcasses supply nutrients for other plant and animal life, as well as their offspring when they hatch. Copies of the 2012-2013 Wyoming Fishing Regulations may be picked up at any local sporting goods vendor or Green River Game and Fish Office. Fishing

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