Klamath River Fishing Report

Klamath River - Upper - OR


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
4-3-2024
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Keno Dam downstream 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. 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.‌

Redband-rainbow trout are primarily spawning this time of year. Some hatches of small mayflies are occurring. 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 increased to 50 and flows have increased to 1010 cfs. Turbidity has decreased slightly to around 17.5 to 23 FNU.‌

Check Klamath River Keno Reach flows. Expect flows to increase considerably.‌

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

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 and steelhead smolts and adults. Last updated

Springs to state line with California

The Frain Ranch section should be fishable. 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. Turbidity increases with work at JC Boyle Dam. Instream work has lessened and will end by April 15.‌

After this point the river should be quite fishable unless large amounts of water are released at Link River dam. 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

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, April 3rd

Agate Lake: Redband trout are moving around
Campbell Reservoir: Catch rates for largemouth bass should be improving
Fourmile Lake: The Lake is blocked by snow and is currently 33 percent full
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir is 41 percent full
Upper Klamath Lake: Fishing from shore at Howard Bay and Shoalwater Bay is improving slightly

Fish tanker truck accident results in loss of some spring Chinook smolts

4-2-2024
LA GRANDE, Ore. – On March 29 near Lookingglass Hatchery in northeast Oregon, a fish tanker truck was involved in an...... Read More