Klamath River Fishing Report

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

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

Keno Dam downstream to Hwy 66

The fishery below Keno Dam has been slow due to extended drought in the past. We encourage catch and release in this fishery and handling fish carefully. Fishing should improve in the next week or so as May is one of the best months to fish this area. Expect blizzard hatches of mayflies and caddisflies. No bait allowed!‌

Fishing not recommended in the old JC Boyle Reservoir river bed as getting to the river is nearly impossible in most areas due to very deep sediments. Access to the old Topsy Reservoir bed is also prohibited by KRRC currently. ‌

Regulations changed 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, 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.‌

Access is very challenging. The road into Keno 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 increased substantially to 58 and flows remain similar at 895 cfs. Turbidity has fluctuated little to around 14-19 FNU.‌

Check KlamatKeno Reach flows. Expect flows to increase considerably.‌

Once you retain your limit of redband-rainbow trout you must stop fishing for redband-rainbow trout. Last updated 5/1/24.

Hwy 66 Bridge downstream to Springs

This section of river is open year-round. Access is currently prohibited by KRRC from Hwy 66 to the dam. Removal of JC Boyle Dam has begun. Fishing not recommended in this section due to difficult access. 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 is to protect large redband trout spawners, chinook, coho and steelhead smolts and Chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead adults.

Springs to state line with California

The Frain Ranch section is fishable. Turbidity is well within fishable levels. Take the road through Dorris to access. Flows should increase considerably in the near future. This section of river is open year-round. Turbidity can be tracked by visiting the USGS Real Time Klamath River Gage. ‌

The river should be quite fishable unless lots of water is released at Link River dam. Currently, turbidity is low at 12 FNU. Fishing only recommended when turbidity (FNU) is less than 40. 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. ‌

On some days there should be good hatches of blue winged olive mayflies. Mother's Day Caddis and other caddis specie are hatching.‌

Click here for Klamath River flow and turbidity.

Regulations changed on 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, Chinook salmon smolts and adults, and steelhead smolts and adults.

More Reports


OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, May 1st
Campbell Reservoir:  Catch rates for largemouth bass and bluegill should be improving
Fourmile Lake: The Lake is blocked by snow and is currently 41 percent full
Gerber Reservoir: Best place to fish for perch is at the north boat ram
Upper Klamath Lake: Fishing from shore at Howard Bay and Shoalwater Bay continues to improve
Lake Of The Woods: The lake was stocked with trophy rainbow trout this week
Lost River: Fishing bait for brown bullhead is your best bet
Sprague River: The river remains very high and turbid
Applegate Reservoir: Applegate is good bet for trout anglers
Ben Irving Reservoir: This should be a good time to fish Ben Irving
Cooper Creek Reservoir: Should be some good trout fishing now
Diamond Lake: Ice is off Diamond Lake and when conditions allow, fishing should be good
Emigrant Reservoir: Emigrant is 71 percent full and continues to fill
Empire Lake Lower: Empire Lake Fishing Report
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is 62 percent full
Floras Lake: The lake was stocked with trout this week
Galesville Reservoir: Stories that some of the trophy trout have been caught
Garrison Lake: The 12th street boat ramp has an improved ramp and docks
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie is 50 percent full
Lake Marie: Fishing should be good this week
Lemolo Lake: The resort KOA opens May 1‌
Lost Creek Lake: Trollers have had good late winter success at Lost Creek
Rogue River- Lower: Rains this week have improved fishing conditions for spring Chinook
Rogue River - Middle: Flow is currently clear and slowly dropping in the middle Rogue
Rogue River- Upper: Lots of winter steelhead are present in the upper Rogue
Alsea River: The Alsea River closed to steelhead on April 30
Kilchis River: Trout season opens in the streams on May 22
Nestucca River: Spring Chinook fishing in the Nestucca is just getting started
Siletz River: The Siletz has been remaining fair and steady throughout March and April
Three Rivers: The Anti-Snagging Gear Restriction goes into effect on Three Rivers on May 1
Alton Baker Canoe Canal: Family Fishing Event Saturday, May 4
Crane Prairie Reservoir: The reservoir 88 percent full and ice free
Crescent Lake: Recent reports of good fishing for large brown and lake trout
East Lake: Deschutes County has not released an anticipated reopening date for the road yet
Haystack Reservoir: Haystack Reservoir Report
Hosmer Lake: Deschutes County has not released an anticipated reopening date for the road yet
Laurance Lake: Laurance Lake is open for the season
Paulina Lake: Deschutes County has not released an anticipated reopening date for the road yet
Prinevile Reservoir: Prineville Reservoir at 100 percent full
Wickiup Reservoir: The reservoir is 77 percent full and boat ramps are currently accessible
Grande Ronde River: Spring can be a great time of year to catch trout and whitefish on the Grande Ronde River
Imnaha River: Trout and whitefish can be caught in the Imnaha River throughout the spring
Morgan Lake: Morgan Lake opened for fishing on April 22
Wallowa River: Wallowa River Report
Brownlee Reservoir: Bass fishing has started to pick up in Brownlee Reservoir
70,000 larval tiger muskie stocked into Phillips Reservoir to improve yellow perch fishing
Phillips Reservoir

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

BAKER CITY, Ore. – Most people don't get excited when they hear someone has 70,000 extra larval tiger muskie, but then......

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