Klamath River Report

Klamath River - Upper - OR


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
2-21-2024
Website

Keno Dam to Hwy 66

Fishing not recommended in the old reservoir bed as getting to the river is nearly impossible in most areas due to very deep sediments.‌

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.‌

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 stayed around 41 degrees and flows have decreased to 498 cfs. Turbidity has increased slightly to around 15 FNU.‌

Once you retain your limit of redband trout you must stop fishing for redband trout.

Hwy 66 Bridge to Springs

Removal of JC Boyle Dam has begun. Fishing not recommended in this section due to turbid conditions and deep sediments. 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 and steelhead smolts and adults.

Springs to state line with California

Fishing not recommended in this section due to turbid conditions. Turbidity can be tracked by visiting the USGS Real Time Klamath River Gage. Turbidity increased with recent rains. 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. ‌

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, February 21st
Grande Ronde River: Steelhead fishing has begun to slow as fish move upriver into the Wallowa River
Wallowa River: Steelhead fishing has been quite good on the Wallowa River over the past weeks
Ochoco Reservoir: The reservoir is 69 percent full
Prinevile Reservoir: Prineville Reservoir at 74 percent full
EE Wilson Angling Pond: Recenlty Stocked
Quartzville Creek: Flows have come down and are around 650 cfs
Santiam River ( North Fork) : River is currently running at around 2,600 cfs
Santiam River (South Fork): The river's turbidity is improving
Deschutes River- Lower: Lower Deschutes Slab
Wallowa River: Steelhead on a fly rod
Nehalem River- North Fork: Winter Steelhead!
Alsea River: The early winter steelhead have entered the Alsea River basin
Kilchis River: The Kilchis will be low through the weekend
Necanicum River: The hatchery steelhead run on the Necanicum River is nearly over
Nehalem River: The Nehalem fished well over the last week
Nehalem River- North Fork: Steelhead fishing on the North Fork Nehalem has slowed this week.
Nestucca River: Steelhead fishing on the Nestucca was fair last weekend
Salmon River: Early winter steelhead have been entering the system
Siletz River: The first big push of winter steelhead have entered the system
Siuslaw River: The Siuslaw is open for retention of hatchery winter steelhead
Three Rivers: There are hatchery steelhead available in Three Rivers
Trask River: The Trask River should fish through the weekend but may get high and off color early next week
Wilson River: Steelhead fishing on the Wilson River has been fair the past week
Applegate Reservoir: The reservoir near its normal wintertime level
Chetco River: Frequent storms have kept the river out of shape most of the season
Elk River: Fishing pressure has been light with all the frequent storms
Emigrant Reservoir: Emigrant is at 35 percent full and filling very slowly
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is 57 percent full and reportedly there is open water for bank fishing
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie is 39 percent full
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt is currently 49 percent full
Illinois River: The Illinois River is open to catch-and-release trout and winter steelhead fishing
Lost Creek Lake: Lost Creek Lake Fishing Report
Rogue River - Middle: The Rogue is currently in great shape
Rogue River- Upper: Lures or flies are now a good choice with the clear water conditions
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): Heavy snow in Prospect continuing upstream has made river access likely impossible
Sixes River: Winter storms have kept the river pretty much unfishable
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir is not frozen
Upper Klamath Lake: The lake is ice-free

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2-20-2024
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