Klamath River Fishing Report

Klamath River - Upper - OR


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
1-12-2022
Website

Keno Dam to J.C Boyle Reservoir

Catch rates were low on opening day (Oct. 1) and effort was very high. Fishing is very 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 (487 cfs) are very low. Water temperature is dropping and down to 33 degrees.  Large trout in this reach 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 and typically range from 100 cfs at the dam and increase due to springs 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.

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. 

J.C. Boyle Powerhouse to State Line with California

Likely the best option for fishing in the Klamath Basin. Roads will be very muddy. Make sure you have good tires and 4X4. Roads might be impassable. 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 relatively good for this time of year.

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, January 12th, 2022
Deschutes River- Lower: New state, possible world record mountain whitefish caught on Deschutes River
Delintment Lake: Ice fishing will likely be slow due to low oxygen levels.
Gerber Reservoir: Bank access is good
Upper Klamath Lake: he lake is frozen except near the outlet

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, January 6th, 2022

Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown
John C Boyle Reservoir: The reservoir might be partially frozen
Upper Klamath Lake: The lake is frozen except near the outlet
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Klamath River Report
Lake Of The Woods: Ice thickness is unknown but currently not safe for ice fishing
Willow Valley Reservoir: The reservoir is low and likely frozen
Applegate Reservoir: The only useable boat ramp at Applegate Reservoir is the French Gulch Boat Ramp
Applegate River: As of Wednesday morning, the Wilderville stream gage was reading 1,280 cfs and dropping
Arizona Pond: This pond received a sizeable batch of fresh rainbow trout over the holidays
Ben Irving Reservoir: Reservoir is likely murky and may inhibit certain methods.
Chetco River: Steelhead fishing has been really good
Coos River: Steelhead anglers have been catching hatchery steelhead
Coquille River: The rivers are currently high and muddy
Diamond Lake: The last report said the ice was not quite thick enough to start fishing on
Elk River: Steelhead fishing should be excellent
Emigrant Reservoir: Emigrant is close to deadpool
Fish Lake : The current lake level is 35 percent full and the lake is filling slowly
Galesville Reservoir: The reservoir has started to fill again but it is still very low
Garrison Lake: Bank anglers can find access at the 12th street or Pinehurst boat ramps and off Paradise Point Road
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Earlier in the week is that there’s about 6 inches of snow over about 4-6 inches of ice covering the lake
Hyatt Lake: Expect winter weather conditions for the weekend and a frozen lake
Illinois River: The Illinois is known for having a run of some earlier running winter steelhead
Pistol River: Steelhead are spread throughout the river
Rogue River- Lower: Steelhead fishing has been really good
Rogue River - Middle: Middle Rogue may start seeing some winter steelhead finally show up
Rogue River- Upper: Upper Rogue River Report
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): Expect winter weather and lots of snow
Sixes River: Sixes River Fishing Report
Tenmile Lakes: A few hatchery steelhead have been caught in Tenmile Creek last week
Umpqua River: Umpqua River Report
Winchuck River: Anglers can expect to find steelhead scattered throughout the river
Alsea River: Winter steelhead fishing is off to a great start on the Alsea
Kilchis River: Kilchis is usually one of the first rivers to come back in shape
Necanicum River: It is peak time for the hatchery winter steelhead run on the Necanicum
Nehalem River: The Nehalem River is predicted to hit minor flood stage on Thursday
Siletz River: Winter steelhead fishing has been good on the Siletz
Siuslaw River: Winter steelhead typically start showing up in the Siuslaw system in early December
Trask River: The Trask is predicted to peak above “action” stage after Thursday’s storm
Wilson River: The Wilson River was starting to produce some steelhead over the New Year’s weekend
Clackamas River: Winter steelhead can now be found throughout the Clackamas River
Detroit Reservoir: Detroit Reservoir Report
Sandy River: Winter steelhead can now be found throughout the Sandy River
Crooked River: Anglers report fair winter fishing in the Crooked River
Fall River: Anglers report good fishing in late morning and afternoon once water temperatures rise
Metolius River: Anglers report hit and miss blue wing olive hatches and fair fishing
Grande Ronde River: Grande Ronde River Fishing Report
Wallowa River: Walloa River Report
Snake River- Below Hells Canyon Reservoir: Steelhead are available throughout the Snake River
: ODFW Recreation Report