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Kokanee salmon will be given away in Dolores Nov. 4

A tub of kokanee salmon is ready to be distributed at a previous Dolores salmon giveaway.
Salmon run makes it upriver despite low water

A relatively strong, late run of kokanee salmon out of McPhee Reservoir up the Dolores River will allow Colorado Parks and Wildlife to conduct a fish giveaway day Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. at Joe Rowell Park.

Fish quantities for the giveaway will be determined by the number of kokanee collected by CPW staff during spawning operations as well as the number of people in line, according to an Oct. 29 news release.

To be eligible for the giveaway, a 2021 Colorado fishing license must be presented. Up to four youths may receive kokanee salmon if accompanied by a license-holding adult.

Those interested in receiving kokanee should bring their own small cooler, bucket or other container. Most of the kokanee are 10 to 13 inches long. The giveaway will begin promptly at 3 p.m., so those interested should get in line earlier.

CPW also will conduct three giveaways at the boat ramp at Lake Nighthorse in Durango at 3 p.m. Nov. 5, 12 and 19. Parking will begin no earlier than 2 p.m. each day. Those giveaways also will start promptly at 3 p.m. There is no giveaway this year at Vallecito Reservoir.

Kokanee are a freshwater, landlocked Pacific sockeye salmon. Though not a native fish to Colorado, they are well suited to Colorado’s large reservoirs. The tasty fish can be filleted and are easy to prepare.

For more information on kokanee and for details on legal snagging of kokanee across Colorado check out their website at cpw.state.co.use

Kokanee salmon will be given away Nov. 4 in Dolores. Supplies are limited, and a 2021 fishing license is required.