From New Mexico Wildlife:

Kokanee are land locked salmon. Although not native to the Southwest, , kokanee thrive in some of New Mexico’s deeper and colder plankton producing lakes. In late fall, large schools of four-year old kokanee gather to spawn and die…….A popular method for catching kokanee is snagging, the intentional taking of fish by hooking the body rather than the mouth. Kokanee are the only fish that may be legally snagged, and only during Special Kokanee Snagging Season. If another species is caught by snagging, it must be immediately returned to the water…..Each autumn NMDGF collects millions of kokanee eggs and milt to fertilize eggs and hatch fry. The young fry are used to stock Heron Lake, Navajo Lake, Abiquiu Lake, El Vado Lake and Eagle Nest Lake. Keeping this fishery vibrant and healthy for anglers to enjoy depends on successful collection operations, which is why Heron Lake and Willow Creek are closed Oct. 1 – Nov. 8.  Snagging Season: Oct 1 – Dec 31, Abiquiu Lake, Chama River (check regulations for full locations), Pine River, El Vado Lake, Navajo Lake, and Eagle Nest Lake. Nov. 15 – Dec 31, Heron Lake and Willow Creek…..Bag limit, Kokanee salmon, 12 per day, 24 in possession. General information, call 1-888-248-6866 and online license applications, www.wildlife.state.nm.us….

Sounds like fun, huh? What would you use to snag? I suppose a big old treble hook. And what about that poor old trout you snag on accident that you have to throw back. Reckon it will survive that ordeal? Seems a shame to throw it back for the other fish to eat, huh? But, that’s the rules, throw that sucker back….