Kokanee lure many people to the area and particularly during the snagging season, which generally begins in October. Rainbow trout are the most commonly caught fish. Rainbows, introduced in the Gunnison River in the 1880s, are still stocked along with kokanee salmon. During the summer season you can learn more about the park's fish by joining a ranger for fish feeding at the Elk Creek Visitor Center's fish pond. Fishing Tips Best fishing times are early morning and late evening when the fish are feeding.
Flies work best in evenings.
Troll at 5 mph for rainbow, slower for kokanee. Kokanee travel in schools. If you get a strike but don't pull in a fish, it may mean that you are trolling too fast for this tender-mouth salmon. Troll deeper for coldwater-loving Mackinaws. In summer, run leaded lines 40-70 feet deep.