Fall colors: on trees and in lakes this September and October

SALT LAKE CITY — Leaves aren’t the only things that display brilliant shades in the fall. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said kokanee salmon also sport a vibrant hue. 

Most of the year, kokanee salmon are silver. However, in September and October, the fish turn bright red. 

According to Wild About Utah, kokanee salmon are the landlocked cousin of the sockeye salmon.

Sockeye salmon turn red due to carotenoid pigments in their ocean diets. The pigments are less common in lakes, therefore, kokanee salmon evolved to be three times as efficient as sockeye at processing them.

The purpose of their red pigment is to attract a mate. As they spawn, the color becomes more vibrant. 

According to the DWR, the red hue makes the fish easy to spot in the waters where they lay eggs. 

If you’d like to see the bright red fish, visit any of these bodies of water: 

• Strawberry Reservoir 
• Fish Lake 
• Jordanelle Reservoir 
• Causey Reservoir 
• Stateline Reservoir Electric County 
• Sheep Creek 
• Provo River

Viewing kokanee salmon

The DWR said that there will be a free educational viewing event on Sept. 21 at Strawberry Reservoir. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., participants will be invited to view the red fish in Strawberry River, right next to the U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center. 

The visitor center is located 20 miles southeast of Heber City, along U.S. Highway 20. 

Additionally, the DWR will host a second viewing event at Fish Lake. A date has not been determined, per a press release. 

You don’t have to attend a DWR event to spot the fish. They will wear their red hue until early October. 

It should be noted that anglers are prohibited from keeping any caught kokanee salmon between September 10 and November 30. 

Also, do not disturb the fish by swimming, attempting to pick them up, or allowing dogs to chase them. The DWR said violators will be cited. 

Related: DWR asks anglers to keep certain species from four bodies of water