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Sockeye Salmon

Oncorhynchus nerka


Sockeye Salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Salmoniformes
Family: Salmonidae
Genus: Oncorhynchus
Species: O. nerka
In Nevada
Stocked Sport Fish
In Nevada, kokanee are maintained through regular stocking in Lake Tahoe and several reservoirs including Cave Lake, Comins Lake, and Echo Canyon Reservoir. The Nevada Department of Wildlife manages these populations primarily in high-elevation waters of the eastern and northern regions. Lake Tahoe's kokanee population has historically fluctuated, with cooperative management between Nevada and California focusing on maintaining spawning habitat in tributary streams like Incline Creek.
Special Notes: Landlocked sockeye. Coldwater game fish per NAC 503.060. More NV regulations

Can be distinguished from chinook, coho, and pink salmon by the lack of large, black spots and from chum salmon by the number and shape of gill rakers on the first gill arch. Sockeye salmon have 28 to 40 long, slender, rough or serrated closely set rakers on the first arch. Chum salmon have 19 to 26 short, stout, smooth rakers.