Idaho Fish Report

Klamath River Fishing Report


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
4-17-2024
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 to 50 and flows have decreased to 875 cfs. Turbidity has decreased slightly to around 17.5 to 20 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.

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. Turbidity increases with work at JC Boyle Dam. Instream work has lessened and is scheduled to end 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 17th

Alsea River: The Alsea River has remained fair the past few weeks
Nestucca River: The Nestucca River is low and clear
Siletz River: The Siletz has been remaining fair and steady throughout March
Wilson River: The Wilson is low and clear but fishing has remained fair
Diamond Lake: Ice is off Diamond Lake and when conditions allow
Emigrant Reservoir: Emigrant is 65 percent full and continues to fill
Expo Pond: Expo Pond Fishing Report
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is 60 percent full
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie is 48 percent full
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt is currently 55 percent full
Rogue River - Middle: Flow is currently clear and slowly dropping in the middle Rogue
Detroit Reservoir: Water levels have increased enough for most boat ramps to be in the water
EE Wilson Angling Pond: Stocked again this week
Foster Reservoir: The reservoir water level is near low pool
Green Peter Reservoir: The water level in Green Peter continues to rise
Santiam River (South Fork): Currently flows are around 2,700 cfs at the Waterloo gauge
Crane Prairie Reservoir: 88 percent full and ice free
East Lake: Deschutes County has not released an anticipated reopening date for the road yet
Hood River: Spring Chinook fishing opened on the Hood River on Monday, April 15
Laurance Lake: Access to the lake is currently walk-in only
North Twin Lake: Excellent fishing for holdover trout
Odell Lake: Some Forest Service boat ramps may remain closed due to snow
Prinevile Reservoir: Prineville Reservoir at 99 percent full
South Twin Lake: Anglers continue to report good spring fishing
Wickiup Reservoir: The reservoir is 78 percent full and boat ramps are expected to be accessible for the opener
Blitzen River: Water temperatures are in the 40s
Bully Creek Reservoir: Bully Creek Reservoir is full
Campbell Reservoir: Catch rates for largemouth bass and bluegill should be improving
Chewaucan River: The river is very cold and swollen as spring flows are coursing through the system
Chickahominy Reservoir: Fishing has been good this past week for holdover rainbow trout
Duncan Reservoir: The reservoir is open and is spilling at the moment
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir is 43 percent full
Holbrook Reservoir: The lake is open and fishing should be good
Upper Klamath Lake: Fishing from shore at Howard Bay and Shoalwater Bay continues to improve


4-16-2024
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Trout stocking in some southeast Oregon waterbodies will be delayed this year as ODFW crews adjust stocking...... Read More