Klamath River Updates

Klamath River - Upper - OR


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
5-21-2025
Website

Keno Dam to Highway 66

Fishing is improving as flows continue to drop and temperatures are ideal. Closed to fishing for salmon. The river from Keno Dam downstream to Hwy 66 is open to fishing. 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 above the river near the Klamath Sportsman Park downstream to Hwy 66 is closed to public access to restore that area.

Flows are a little high for fishing at 1,820 cfs. Catch-and-release is highly encouraged. There are excellent numbers of caddisflies and mayflies hatching.

Hwy 66 Bridge downstream to Springs

Flows are dropping. Closed to salmon fishing. This section of river is open year-round. Fishing not recommended in this section due to difficult access. Access to the Klamath River will be available from the Topsy Grade Road, traveling through Dorris or the upper access on BLM property above the old access road on the west side. 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 Powerhouse Road on the west side of the river is open but the access is new. Access is about 1 mile southwest of the old access road on BLM property. The entrance will be the second entrance off highway 66 not the typical gate of entry. The entrance now has signage. Access to the Klamath River is also available from the Topsy Grade Road or traveling through Dorris. Topsy Grade Road can have large potholes and will be very muddy.

Flows are dropping and fishing improving dramatically. Golden stoneflies are hatching in amazing numbers at the Frain Ranch area as well as salmonflies and yellow sally stoneflies. Small Caddisflies, small blue winged olive mayflies and Big yellow mayflies are also hatching.. This section of river is open year-round. Turbidity can be tracked by visiting the USGS Real Time Klamath River Gage. Fishing is recommended only when turbidity (FNU) is less than 40.

Patterns and lures that mimic crayfish, golden stonefly adults and nymphs, salmonfly nymphs and adults, small mayflies and caddisflies larva, 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 is to protect large redband trout spawners, chinook, coho and steelhead smolts, and Chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead adults.