Upper Klamath Lake Fish Report for 7-16-2025
Fishing remains very slow
Upper Klamath Lake - Klamath Falls, OR (Klamath County)

by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
7-16-2025
Website
The lake is open to fishing all year. Fishing remains very slow in the main lake. The algae is growing well. Redband Trout have moved towards water quality refuge in Pelican Bay, Williamson River and mouth of the Wood River. Fishing is slow to good in Pelican Bay area depending on the day. Best fishing is from a boat and covering lots of water.
Lures or flies that mimic minnows, sculpins, leeches or midges work best. Most bank anglers use dead minnows on the bottom on a crappie rig. Circle hooks can improve survival if you are practicing catch and release.
Please remember that nets or minnow traps of any type cannot be used to catch any species of fish. This includes minnows to use for bait. See page 20 of the Sport Fishing Regulations for legal harvest methods for minnows and chubs.
ODFW encourages catch-and-release on this fishery due to record low spawning numbers in 2020 and very low numbers in 2019 and the record setting drought from 2020 through 2022 which reduced survival. Please fight your fish quickly and then release your fish immediately without removing it from the water. Releasing fish is easier with barbless hooks. Using a very good rubber net also reduces the likelyhood of removing valuable scales and slime.
The lake is 2.1 feet below full pool and 66 percent full.
Klamath Lake water levels
Please remember that once you retain your one redband/rainbow trout limit you must stop fishing for redband/rainbow trout. Also, all radio tagged redband trout must be released unharmed. Redband trout will have what looks to be fishing line coming from the abdomen.
More Reports
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, July 16th
Deschutes River: Reports of good dry fly action
Hood River: Steelhead fishing is open
Ben Irving Reservoir: Fishing is slow
Cooper Creek Reservoir: Fishing for bass and bluegill is good
Galesville Reservoir: Bass anglers are having success
Hemlock Lake: Fishing should be good
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie Updates
Lake Marie: Lake Marie is a good spot
Lemolo Lake: Brown trout fishing should be good
Rogue River- Upper: Upper Rogue River Updates
Smith River: Smith River Updates
Tenmile Lakes: Anglers are catching yellow perch
Umpqua River: Smallmouth fishing is great
Umpqua River- North : Summer steelhead angling is slow
Umpqua River- South : Smallmouth bass angling should be good
Ana Reservoir: Fishing has been good
Dead Horse Lake: Fishing has been fair recently
Duncan Reservoir: Fishing reports have been positive
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Tuesday, July 15th
Blue River: Blue River Updates
Clear Lake: Will be stocked!
Coast Fork Willamette River: Open to fishing all year for trout
Cottage Grove Reservoir: Cottage Grove Updates
Detroit Reservoir: Any technique will catch fish,
Dexter Reservoir: Dexter Reservoir Updates
Dorena Reservoir: Dorena Reservoir Updates
Fall Creek Reservoir: Fall Creek is currently being held down
Foster Reservoir: Foster Reservoir Updates
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir Updates
Leaburg Lake: Leaburg Lake Updates
McKenzie River: McKenzie River Updates
McKenzie River: R2 Updates
Middle Fork of the Williamette: Middle Fork Updates
Row River Pond: Wildlife viewing opportunities
Salmon Creek: Salmon Creek Updates
Salt Creek: Salt Creek Updates
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: Can coax some larger trout
Santiam River (South Fork): Santiam River (South Fork) Updates
Sunnyside Park Pond: Bluegill and largemouth bass year-round
Willamette River: Poor river conditions last week
Laurance Lake: Beautiful week to go up to the lake
Jubilee Lake: Vehicle access to the lake is open
McNary Channel Ponds: Bass fishing can be good
McKay Reservoir: Fishing is heating up
Umatilla River: Trout fishing is currently open
Agate Lake: Fishing for bass and panfish should be good
Applegate Reservoir: Trout fishing should be good
Coos River: Coos River Basin Updates
Diamond Lake: Fishing is good
Emigrant Reservoir: Fishing should be good
Fish Lake : Fish Lake Updates
Hyatt Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass is good
Lost Creek Reservoir: Lost Creek Reservoir Updates
Plat I Reservoir: Fishing is slow
Rogue River - Middle: Middle Rogue River Updates
Chewaucan River: Fishing has been good

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