It's that time of the year again when Colorado waters gleam with the silvery flash of kokanee salmon, and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) gears up to celebrate its annual kokanee salmon giveaways. With over 1.3 million eggs already collected from the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery, CPW has announced the much-anticipated giveaway days for 2025. Anglers with a valid Colorado fishing license can stand to receive these landlocked relatives of the sockeye salmon at designated locations. But, as with any event relying on the whims of nature, would-be participants are advised to call ahead to confirm the availability of fish on the designated days, as reported by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Jim White, CPW's Senior Aquatic Biologist in the Southwest Region, highlighted the need to manage expectations and to always confirm the day before. "In some recent years, we’ve had issues with too many people showing up to receive a small number of kokanee," he stated, as per Colorado Parks and Wildlife. These days of giveaways are as unpredictable as they are generous, with varying kokanee numbers at each giveaway, depending almost entirely on the natural salmon run.
Eligibility for the giveaway requires a 2025 Colorado fishing license, with an allowance for up to four youths to receive kokanee if accompanied by a licensed adult. Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal members have the option to present a Tribal ID card, a Brunot fishing license, or a state fishing license to partake in the giveaway. Participants are reminded to bring their own containers, as the fish distributed typically range from 10 to 13 inches in size.
For those interested in specific locations, CPW has lined up giveaways at Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery north of Gunnison every Friday starting October 17. CPW's Giulio Del Piccolo commented, "Kokanee numbers running up from Blue Mesa Reservoir appear to be rebounding this year after a number of low years," according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
