Klamath River Report

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

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

Keno Dam to J.C Boyle Reservoir

The river opened on Saturday, Oct. 1. Fishing was very slow just below Keno Dam. A total of 15 anglers were interviewed and only one had caught a fish. Reports from lower in the river showed slightly higher catch rates.

Caddis and mayflies are hatching and egg laying. Forage fish are abundant especially immediately below Keno Dam for the large redband/rainbow to eat. Best methods are mimicking minnows and sculpins with flies and lures.

Flows are optimal at 624 cfs with water temperatures peaking at 63 degrees. The water is always slightly off color in this reach. Turbidity is ranging from 5- 12 FNU.

The redband/rainbow trout population is likely at record low numbers due to drought, very high water temperatures the past three years, and very low flows in their only spawning tributary, Spencer Creek. Catch-and-release is encouraged.  

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

Open all year. Flows are low and stable and typically range from 100 cfs at the dam and increase due to springs to around 350 cfs at the Powerhouse. 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. The area along the power canal is closed.

Use small flies or lures as redband trout are mostly small (8-10 inches) 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. Using smaller stimulator patterns in this reach due to the small fish size. Small elk hair caddis presented with a twitch can work well. Small black Panther Martins or Rooster Tails work well when cast upstream into the deeper pools. 

J.C. Boyle Powerhouse to State Line with California

Fishing is good in early morning before flows drastically increase. Make sure you have good tires and 4X4. 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. Best fishing will be before 10 a.m. this week. Flows are low on 10/12 until 4 pm. 

Large attractor flies such and wooly buggers, bead head prince, 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.

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, October 12th, 2022
Campbell Reservoir: There are likely no fish in the reservoir
Upper Klamath Lake: Upper Klamath Lake Report
Lake Of The Woods: Fishing for yellow perch remains a good bet
Sprague River: Best fishing is near the town of Beatty
Williamson River: The river is exceedingly clear and flows are low
Wood River: Fishing for brown trout and redband trout should be good this week
Agate Lake: Agate remains at 13 percent full at the end of irrigation season
Coos River: The wild coho season in the Coos Basin closes on Oct. 15
Coquille River: Anglers have been catching striped bass in the lower Coquille River
Emigrant Reservoir: Emigrant remains at 4 percent full at the end of irrigation season
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is filling with the input of various springs and is now at 21 percent full
Rogue River - Middle: Middle Rogue River Report
Rogue River- Upper: Artificial fly season is in place through Oct. 31
Tenmile Lakes: The wild coho salmon fishery opened in Tenmile Lake on Oct. 1
Alsea River: Cutthroat trout are abundant and can be found throughout the Alsea basin
Nehalem River: Fall Chinook fishing has improved on Nehalem Bay
Salmon River: Fall Chinook fishing continues to be slow on the Salmon River
Siletz River: Fall Chinook fishing has slowed down on the Siletz
Yaquina River: Fall Chinook fishing and coho fishing has been steady on the Yaquina
Fall Creek Reservoir: Fall Creek Reservoir is currently being drawn down
Foster Reservoir: The drawdown of the reservoir for winter storage capacity has started
Gold Lake: Not accessible at this time
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir was last stocked the week of Oct. 3
Salmon Creek: Salmon Creek Update
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Fishing for Chinook is now closed through Oct.15
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: Flows are currently around 430 cfs
Crane Prairie Reservoir: Reservoir water level is moderate at 69 percent full
Hood River: Turbidity due to glacial melt
Laurance Lake: Anglers have had success bank fishing throughout the reservoir
Metolius River: The Metolius River continues to fish well
Ochoco Reservoir: The reservoir is very low
Wickiup Reservoir: The reservoir is very low at 3 percent
Deschutes River: 16.4 lb. Steelhead
Imnaha River: Imnaha River Report
Snake River- Below Hells Canyon Reservoir: Fishing for fall Chinook salmon has started to improve
ODFW Recreation Report

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

Grande Ronde steelhead workshop Join ODFW and its partners for Steelhead Fishing 101 on the Grande Ronde River near Troy on......

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