Klamath River Updates

Klamath River - Middle


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
1-8-2025
Website

Closed to fishing for salmon. The river from Keno Dam downstream to Hwy 66 is open. Fishing remains very slow due to very cold-water temperatures. Please remember that the bag limit has changed to one redband rainbow trout per day in the 12- to 15-inch size class. No bait is allowed. Also, the area on the river near the Klamath Sportsman Park downstream to Hwy 66 is closed to public access to restore that area.

Water temperatures are very cold. Flows are 1,120 cfs. Catch-and-release is highly encouraged. Most redband/rainbow are small.

Hwy 66 Bridge downstream to Springs

Closed to salmon fishing. This section of river is open year-round. Access is currently prohibited by KRRC from Hwy 66 to the dam. JC Boyle Dam has been removed. Fishing not recommended in this section due to difficult access. The Powerhouse Road on the west side of the river will be closed until April 15, 2025. 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 and be very muddy. This section of the river will require a significant hike to the river on the east side.

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 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

Closed to salmon fishing. The Frain Ranch section is fishable. Water temperatures are warmer this time of year down here due to the springs entering just upriver. Turbidity has declined significantly. Take the road through Dorris to access. This section of river is open year-round. Turbidity can be tracked by visiting the USGS Real Time Klamath River Gage.

Fishing recommended only when turbidity (FNU) is less than 40. The Powerhouse Road on the west side of the river will be closed until April 15, 2025. 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 and will be very muddy.

Patterns and lures that mimic crayfish, golden stoneflies, salmonfly nymphs, salmon eggs and leeches should work well. Panther Martin spinners can work well down there.

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, January 8th

Grande Ronde River: Steelhead fishing is slowing
Imnaha River: Fun Trout and Whitefish Fishing
Wallowa Lake : Cooler Months are a Great Time to Fish the Wallowa
Wallowa River: Steelhead are moving into the Wallowa River
Deschutes River- Lower: Trout fishing can be slow
Hood River: Check flows before you go!
Lake Billy Chinook: Anglers report good winter fishing
Detroit Reservoir: Fishing can be surprisingly good
EE Wilson Angling Pond: Pond Stocked With Trout
Green Peter Reservoir: The reservoir is slowly refilling
Junction City Pond: Pond Recently Stocked With Trout
Leaburg Lake: Leaburg Lake Updates
McKenzie River: McKenzie River (below Leaburg Lake) Updates
Middle Fork Willamette: Middle Fork Willamette Updates
Quartzville Creek: River Not Yet Fishable
Row River Pond: Row River Pond Updates
Santiam River (South Fork): Drier weather expected to change flows
Timber Linn Lake: Timber Linn Pond Updates
Alsea River: Varied success at the hatchery holes!
Kilchis River: Winter steelhead should be in the Kilchis
Necanicum River: Attention boaters!
Nehalem River: The upper river is dropping into good shape
Nehalem River- North Fork: Boating hazard on the North Fork Nehalem
Nestucca River: The Nestucca is dropping into shape
Salmon River: Winter steelhead is open
Siletz River: Winter steelhead have moved into the Siletz!
Siuslaw River: Winter steelhead is open in the Siuslaw basin!
Three Rivers: Three Rivers Updates
Trask River: The Trask is in great shape for fishing
Wilson River: Winter steelhead is picking up!
Yaquina River: Hatchery steelhead is open on the Yaquina
Agency Lake: Agency Lake Updates
Ana Reservoir: Fishing for rainbow trout has been slow
Campbell Reservoir: The reservoir is likely frozen
Dog Lake: Lake is Partially Frozen
Gerber Reservoir: Good ice fishing destination if frozen

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Friday, December 20th, 2024

McKenzie River: Koi illegally dumped into McKenzie River prompts ODFW response
: ODFW Recreation Report