Klamath River Fishing Report

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us

Keno Dam to J.C Boyle Reservoir

Catch rates were low on opening day (Oct. 1) and effort was very high. Fishing remains slow. Remember bait is not allowed and only one fish over 15 inches can be harvested per day. Also, remember that once you retain your one redband/rainbow trout limit you must stop fishing for redband/rainbow trout.

Flows (698 cfs) looks to be ideal -- for fishing and wading. Water temperature has been declining and is currently around 40 degrees.  Large trout in this reach start to feed on the many fat head minnows and chub coming down from above Keno Dam. Few trout over 18 inches are being caught this fall. Flies and lures that mimic these minnows will be successful. Remember the Klamath River eats your fishing gear. Jig style hooks, heavy line and single barbless hooks can reduce the likelihood of losing a lot of gear.

This section of the river is very challenging fishing with white water and treacherous wading. The river is loaded with boulders and drop offs. ODFW recommends a wading staff, wading belt, excellent wading boots with studs, and maybe even a helmet and shin guards!

Public access is difficult, but you can drive a horrendous road to immediately below Keno Dam. All other sites require a significant hike to the river.

J.C. Boyle Dam to J.C Boyle Powerhouse

Open all year. Flows are low and stable. Catch rates should be good for this time of year. Fishing is best below the spring inputs. The springs start to discharge into the river approximately one mile below J.C. Boyle Dam. This section of river requires a hike down steep grade to the river except for the area just above the powerhouse.

Use small flies or lures as redband trout are small in this section.

There is good access at the powerhouse. Park and walk upstream. This area is fished hard but you can hike to get away from the pressure. Hiking or wading upstream is difficult. Small nymphs such as pheasant tails and prince nymphs work well in this section. Small black Panther Martins or Rooster Tails work well cast upstream into the deeper pools.

There is good access at the powerhouse. Park and walk upstream. This area is fished hard but you can hike to get away from the pressure. Hiking or wading upstream is difficult. Small nymphs such as pheasant tails and prince nymphs work well in this section. Small black Panther Martins or Rooster Tails work well cast upstream into the deeper pools.

J.C. Boyle Powerhouse to State Line with California

Best fishing is when flows are less than 900 cfs. You can check flow estimates at PacifiCorp Weekly Flow Estimates. You can also call the flow line at 1-800-547-1501. Flows look fishable until around 1 p.m. this week. Fishing can be excellent this time of year if flows are fishable.

Large attractor flies such and wooly buggers, bead head prince, stimulators, and rubber leg stoneflies under a strike indicator work best this time of year. Olive and black wooly buggers almost always work well. Black spinners and Panther Martins can also work. October caddis style fly patterns can work well this time of year.

Below the JC Boyle Powerhouse the redband/rainbow trout get slightly larger than the aforementioned reach and average 12 inches but rarely exceed 16 inches. Currently, most redband caught are in the 10- to 14-inch range.

More Reports


OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, December 1st, 2021
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir is likely freezing and thawing
Upper Klamath Lake: Fishing is slow and water clarity has improved
Lake Of The Woods: Lake of the Woods is still ice-free
Willow Valley Reservoir: Conditions are unknown the reservoir is likely very low
Coos River: Steelhead fishing should pick up after the next big rain.
Diamond Lake: Fishing should still be good at Diamond
Expo Pond: Expo received 120 nice 2- to 3-pound trout right before Thanksgiving
Fish Lake : The current lake level is 29 percent full
Galesville Reservoir: The boat ramp is unusable at this time!
Hemlock Lake: With mild weather in the forecast a trip to these lakes might be a nice outing
Lost Creek Lake: Trout fishing should be good
Plat I Reservoir: No recent reports from Plat I
Rogue River - Middle: Bait can again be used in the entire Rogue
Rogue River- Upper: Chinook salmon fishing is closed through remainder of year.
Umpqua River: Umpqua River Fishing Report
Miami River: Fishing is slow on the Miami right now
Necanicum River: The Necanicum should be a good bet for those looking for early winter steelhead
Nehalem River: Fishing is slow on the mainstem Nehalem River this time of year
Nestucca River: The fall Chinook run on the Nestucca is winding down
Tillamook Bay: Tillamook Bay Fishing Report
Trask River: The Chinook run is winding down
Wilson River: It’s a bit early for winter steelhead on the Wilson River
Detroit Reservoir: The reservoir elevation is now only a few feet above the bottom of Mongold boat ramp
Santiam River ( North Fork) : The coho salmon run this year was very good
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: The river level has increased from recent rains but should still be clear
Santiam River (South Fork): Currently flows are around 4,100 cfs at the Waterloo gage
Timber Linn Lake: Was stocked last week with around 1,000 hatchery trout
Waverly Lake: This lake was stocked last week with about 850 legal-size and larger trout
Crooked River: Anglers report good fall fishing in the Crooked River
Davis Lake: The water level remains extremely low
Fall River: Anglers report good fishing in late morning and afternoon
Imnaha River: Steelhead season is opened on the Imnaha
Magone Lake: Fishing has been best in the early morning and late evening hours
Umatilla River: Very poor predicated steelhead returns
The current limit is 1 steelhead per day
Snake River- Below Hells Canyon Reservoir

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

Fall Chinook season closed on Sunday Oct. 31. Steelhead are available throughout the Snake River and fish are being caught directly......

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