Keno Dam to J.C Boyle Reservoir ‌

Regulations will change Jan. 1, 2024 to a bag limit of one redband-rainbow trout per day in the 12 to 15-inch size class. This regulation is to protect large redband trout spawners, and chinook and steelhead smolts and adults. The river will be closed from June 15 to Oct. 1 from Keno Dam to the Highway 66 Bridge downstream.‌

Redband-rainbow trout are primarily feeding on minnow and sculpins this time of year. Mimicking minnows with flies and lures will produce the best results. There is also very abundant crayfish, mayflies, caddisflies and leeches. No bait allowed!‌

Access is very challenging. The road into the dam is very bad. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. There are other points of access that require a long hike to the river.‌

The river is difficult wading. Anglers who wade should have studded wading boots, wading belt, wading staff, polarized glasses and maybe a helmet and shin guards. The bottom is very slick and bedrock ledges can drop off quickly. Visibility is also poor. ‌

Water temperature has dropped to 38 degrees, turbidity has increased to 13 FNU and flows are low at 603 cfs. ‌

Please remember no bait and only one redband trout greater than 15 inches. Regulations will change Jan. 1, 2024 to a bag limit of one redband-rainbow trout per day in the 12 to 15-inch size class. This is to protect large Redband Trout spawners, chinook and steelhead smolts and adults. Once you retain your limit of redband trout you must cease fishing for redband trout. L

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

The Powerhouse Road on the west side of the river will be closed all year. Access to the Klamath River will be available from the Topsy Grade Road or traveling through Dorris. The Topsy Grade Road can have large potholes where vehicles can get stuck. This section of the river will require a significant hike to the river on the east side. ‌

Regulations will change January 1, 2024 to a bag limit of one redband rainbow trout per day in the 12 to 15-inch size class. This is to protect large redband trout spawners, chinook and steelhead smolts and adults. Flows typically remain low at about 130 cfs year-round at JC Boyle Dam.

J.C. Boyle Powerhouse to State Line with California‌

The Powerhouse Road on the west side of the river will be closed all year. Access to the Klamath River will be available from the Topsy Grade Road or traveling through Dorris. The Topsy Grade Road can have large potholes where vehicles can get stuck. This section of the river will require a significant hike to the river on the east side. ‌

Regulations will change Jan. 1, 2024 to a bag limit of one redband-rainbow trout per day in the 12 to 15-inch size class. This regulation is to protect large redband trout spawners, and chinook and steelhead smolts and adults. ‌

Flows will be fishable until around 12 p.m. this week and fishing during this time should be excellent. 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. Wednesdays are typically the best day to fish as flows are low until later in the day. ‌

Large attractor flies such and wooly buggers, bead head prince nymphs, 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. So do small crayfish patterns.‌

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.