Klamath River Fishing Report

Klamath River - Upper - OR


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
4-24-2024
Website

Keno Dam downstream to Hwy 66

The fishery below Keno Dam has been very slow due to extended drought in the past. We encourage catch and release in this fishery and handling fish carefully.‌

Fishing not recommended in the old JC Boyle 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.‌

Hatches of mayflies and caddisflies are occurring. No bait allowed!‌

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 875 cfs. Turbidity has decreased to around 15 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.

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. ‌

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. Mothers 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, April 24th
Devils Lake: ODFW to host family fishing event at Devils Lake April 27
Applegate Reservoir: Applegate was stocked recently
Emigrant Reservoir: Emigrant is 69 percent full and continues to fill
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is 62 percent full
Galesville Reservoir: Stories that some of the trophy trout have been being caught
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie is 50 percent full
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt is currently 59 percent full
Rogue River - Middle: Winter steelhead are spread throughout the middle Rogue
Rogue River- Upper: Lots of winter steelhead are present in the upper Rogue
Umpqua River: The mainstem has decent water conditions this week
Kilchis River: Winter steelhead on the Kilchis River is all but over
Alsea River: The Alsea River has remained fair the past few weeks
Nestucca River: The first summer steelhead of the season should show up anytime now
Siletz River: Spring Chinook fishing has begun on the Siletz
Trask River: The Trask River is just about done for winter steelhead
Wilson River: The first summer steelhead should be showing up any time now
Green Peter Reservoir: The water level in Green Peter continues to rise
Harriett Lake: There's still a fair amount of snow at Harriet
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Spring chinook of the season the fishing is beginning to heat up
Santiam River (South Fork): ummer steelhead are off to a pretty good start
Timothy Lake: The lake should be accessible to stocking trucks soon
Trillium Lake: The gate to the lake is still locked due to snow drifts
Willamette River: For week of April 15-21 preliminary catch/effort
Antelope Flat Reservoir: Antelope Flat Reservoir Report
Crane Prairie Reservoir: The reservoir 87 percent full and ice free
Hood River: There are still some Hood River steelhead coming over Bonneville Dam
Laurance Lake: The road has been reopened for access to the lake
Odell Lake: Early reports of fair kokanee fishing
Pine Hollow Reservoir: Anglers have reported Pine Hollow being green with algae and slow fishing
Wickiup Reservoir: The reservoir is 77 percent full and boat ramps are currently accessible
Campbell Reservoir: Campbell Reservoir Report
Gerber Reservoir: Fishing should be improving for brown bullhead and yellow perch

ODFW Recreation Report

4-19-2024
Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming     Apply for your big game tags‌ Less than a month to go before the May...... Read More