I humbly disagree, This biggest predictor for ME of where Kokanee are is where I catch them.
For the last two seasons up at Jordanelle, the Kokanee all season except for early when the water temps were close at much of the water column, were in much warmer water than they are supposed to prefer and for extended periods of time. When I surveyed the water column and found the ideal water temp, I did not find or catch kokanee at that depth. Im just saying don't get stuck in a pattern and miss-out on catching lots of fish. Just an example Late July last year surface water temp was 68.7 degrees early in the day, even warmer later, I was surprised to find it still 63.1 degrees at 30 feet. To find 54.5 degrees I had to go to 45 feet, no fish showing there. I tried many times for curiosity, never caught a koke that deep there. Caught lots of limits fishing way shallower than that. The main reason that Kokes are where they are right now is due to where UDWR has put them. Some of the newer locations that they are doing well in are not as traditional as in the past, some are warmer on average than you would expect Kokes to do well in, they seem to adapt to the habitat as long as the food is there for them.
Tight lines and good luck.
For the last two seasons up at Jordanelle, the Kokanee all season except for early when the water temps were close at much of the water column, were in much warmer water than they are supposed to prefer and for extended periods of time. When I surveyed the water column and found the ideal water temp, I did not find or catch kokanee at that depth. Im just saying don't get stuck in a pattern and miss-out on catching lots of fish. Just an example Late July last year surface water temp was 68.7 degrees early in the day, even warmer later, I was surprised to find it still 63.1 degrees at 30 feet. To find 54.5 degrees I had to go to 45 feet, no fish showing there. I tried many times for curiosity, never caught a koke that deep there. Caught lots of limits fishing way shallower than that. The main reason that Kokes are where they are right now is due to where UDWR has put them. Some of the newer locations that they are doing well in are not as traditional as in the past, some are warmer on average than you would expect Kokes to do well in, they seem to adapt to the habitat as long as the food is there for them.
Tight lines and good luck.
time spent fishing isn't deducted from ones life