Wildlife Walls Mural Trail
Kokanee salmon
Strawberry Reservoir Visitors Center
Kokanee salmon
Kokanee salmon are one of Strawberry Reservoir’s most iconic fish, drawing anglers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Originally introduced to Utah from Washington in 1922, they were first stocked in Strawberry Reservoir in 1937. Unlike their ocean-dwelling cousins, the sockeye salmon, kokanee live their entire lives in freshwater. They feed almost entirely on the abundant plankton in the reservoir and are often caught by anglers not because they are hungry, but because their aggressive territorial behavior causes them to attack brightly colored lures. Kokanee typically mature between two and five years of age, with most spawning fish in Strawberry being three years old. When it’s time to spawn, they undergo dramatic changes—turning bright red, with males developing humps and hooked jaws, and females carrying more than 1,200 eggs. After spawning, all kokanee die, completing their fascinating life cycle.
The Strawberry River and the spawning trap near the Forest Service Visitor Center provide one of the best opportunities to view kokanee during their spawning run, usually in September and early October. A boardwalk connects visitors directly to the trap, offering close-up views of the brilliant red fish as they swim upstream. This spectacle reaches its peak in mid to late September, and the USDA Forest Service and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources host an annual Kokanee Viewing Day on the third Saturday of September. Families and visitors can learn about the kokanee’s unique life cycle, observe the spawning fish in action, and celebrate this vibrant natural event that makes Strawberry Reservoir a premier wildlife viewing destination.
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Fun Facts about Kokanee salmon & Strawberry Reservoir
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Kokanee salmon never go to the ocean—they are the freshwater form of sockeye salmon.
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A single female kokanee can lay over 1,200 eggs during spawning.
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Kokanee stop eating several weeks before spawning, which is why they die shortly after.
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The best time to see kokanee turn bright red is in September at the Strawberry River near the Visitor Center.
This project was made possible through key partnerships.
This Wildlife Walls project was made possible through partnerships with Utah Division of Wildlife, Strawberry Anglers Association, Friends of Strawberry Valley, Salt Lake County Game and Fish Association, Wasatch County TAPS program, Brett Prettyman, and Chris Peterson Studio.
Press Release: August 13, 2025
For Immediate Release: New Kokanee Salmon Mural Coming to Strawberry Reservoir Visitors Center
August 13, 2025
10th Wildlife Walls Mural Celebrates Local Species, Partnerships, and Utah’s Mural Trail
Strawberry Reservoir, Utah – Visitors to Strawberry Reservoir will soon be greeted by a vibrant new mural celebrating the Kokanee Salmon, a freshwater cousin of the sockeye salmon known for its brilliant red spawning colors each fall. The mural, currently being installed at the Strawberry Reservoir Visitors Center, is the 15th mural in the Wildlife Walls series – a grassroots project led by Salt Lake-based artist Chris Peterson to paint large-scale wildlife murals in every county of Utah.
This latest project is made possible through a unique partnership between Strawberry Anglers Association and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), with funding and support from the Wasatch County TAPS grant, Friends of Strawberry Valley, Salt Lake County Game and Fish Association, and High Country Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited.
The mural is the third Wildlife Wall in Wasatch County, honoring a species that is central to the area’s ecology and recreation. Kokanee Salmon inhabit Strawberry Reservoir and every September migrate up the Strawberry River—right next to the Visitors Center—to spawn. This natural event draws thousands of visitors to witness the spectacle of the bright red fish in crystal-clear water.
“Kokanee salmon are one of the most striking fish species in Utah waters and Strawberry Reservoir is one of the most beloved fisheries in the state,” said Peterson. “This mural celebrates both a species and a place that so many Utahns love, and I am honored to be able to participate in that.”
This year’s Utah DWR Kokanee Viewing Event will take place Saturday, September 20, offering the public a close-up view of spawning salmon. Visit the DWR website at the end of August to learn more details about the event.
The Wildlife Walls Mural Trail
The Kokanee Salmon mural will join the growing Wildlife Walls Mural Trail, an interactive online map created by Wildlife Walls in partnership with Utah Arts Alliance that connects each mural site with nearby wildlife viewing areas. This trail allows residents and visitors to explore Utah’s biodiversity in person—pairing large-scale public art with opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitats. The Mural Trail is accessible on the Wildlife Walls website, offering a new way for people to discover art, outdoor recreation, and conservation stories across the state.
About Kokanee Salmon in Strawberry Reservoir
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Kokanee are a freshwater form of sockeye salmon, first introduced into Utah from Washington in 1922, and into Strawberry Reservoir in 1937.
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They feed almost exclusively on abundant plankton in the lake.
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Anglers catch them not for feeding strikes, but due to their aggressive territorial attacks on bright-colored lures.
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Most Kokanee in Strawberry mature and spawn at around 3 years of age.
Wildlife Walls is a grassroots public art initiative founded by artist Chris Peterson to install large-scale wildlife murals in every county of Utah. The project aims to celebrate Utah’s biodiversity, connect communities with local species, and inspire conservation through art. The Wildlife Walls Mural Trail pairs each mural with nearby wildlife viewing locations to make it easy for visitors to have their own immersive nature experiences across the state.
Celebrate Utah's wildlife with public art and wildlife encounters across the state on the Wildlife Walls Mural Trail.
The Wildlife Walls Mural Trail links 14 wildlife murals and 100+ wildlife viewing areas.
The Mural Trail was created to inspire people to get outside; Travel the Mural Trail across Utah’s spectacular landscape to visit epic murals AND enjoy diverse wildlife encounters of your own.
Hit the Mural Trail, share on social media, and tag us & hashtag: #wildlifewalls
For a chance at $5000 cash grand prize and many more prizes from our project sponsors.
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to 100+ wildlife viewing areas across Utah