Okay to eat?

[little_novice]

Hi,

The kokanee fish are spawning now. I want to go fishing for some dinner. If I catch one of the red ones are they still good to eat or should I just let it go?

Thanks.

[mkwerx]

I'd let the red ones go unless you're really jonesing for some koke meat. Just like sea run salmon - best eating when still silver-sided. Slightly colored up fish are fine eating - but heavily colored up fish will have exhausted a lot of their fat & oil supplies getting ready for the spawn - thus the flavor won't be as good, and the meat might not be as firm either. One way to find out for yourself if you like red-sided kokes - keep one & eat it.