American Lake Kokanee

[machewbacca]

According to the WDFW, American gets nearly 500k kokanee fry, double what Stevens gets. Yet, I don't see much in terms of positive reports... is this lake not an exceptional kokanee lake?

[Toni]

It can be.

The fish that are caught today were planted in 2013. Many factors are involved in the survival of the 479922 fry that were planted in May and June of 2013. Algae/zoo plankton growth and predation as well as a few other factors.

Last winter it appeared that most of the next years fish (only 5000-10000) that were caught were released in Nov. 2013 as clipped fish. Not many of the non-clipped fish had been observed being caught. The biologist commented to me wondering how this season was going to turn out...
It may be an off year. This seems to happen about every two years at American. Last year was a great year!

[Bilgewater]

On May 7 I trolled past 4 or 5 randomly scattered dead perch floating belly up in the southerly end, south of Silcox. And at one time, seven eagles were circling that area, and an unknown number were perched in the trees. They would periodically pick up something from the surface but I could not tell if they were grabbing dead perch or shallow-swimming trout.

What do you suppose is causing the perch die-off? Might there be a kokanee connection?

Phytoplankton (algae) produce a significant portion of the dissolved oxygen in American. Zooplankton feed on phytoplankton, and kokanee allegedly feed on both. Limnologists say that a reduction in phytoplankton populations results in increased water clarity, with a corresponding reduction in production of dissolved oxygen. I don’t know if American water is becoming more clear. Has anyone noticed any difference?

[Hunter757]

The water is the same as last year as far as color goes. I think the fish that are running around are young and still learning to bite or chase? I see many time where they swim at my lines but go right by no bites, over and over again this happens. I did manage one koke the other day it did have its fin. Only 11 inches very small but I was happy to put some American lake koke blood on the deck hope it brings me good luck.

Other lakes are really producing this year let's hope American turns on soon only time will tell. Keep in mind I fish afternoon time frame so this may play a part in my catch but last year I did very well in the same time of day and sunshine.

[machewbacca]

I assumed that predation might be an issue here... but that's alot of fish loss, if they are stocking that many fry to account for predation. I would assume that american suffers from likely the same challenges that face other lakes, ie Stevens. Still I would think that with that number of fry plants, fishing would be much more consistent. I know that American produces some healthy sized kokanee, making me believe that natural conditions exist that would sustain a healthy kokanee population. Thanks for the feedback!

[Toni]

in regards to dead perch http://thesubtimes.com/2015/05/12/state ... ican-lake/