Klamath River Fishing Report

Klamath River - Upper - OR


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
10-15-2025
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Keno Dam Downstream to Highway 66

Closed to fishing for salmon. No bait allowed. Only one redband-rainbow between 12-15 inches can be kept per day. Once you retain your limit of Redband-Rainbow you must cease fishing for this species.

River flows and water temperatures are at good levels for good fishing.

Fishing has been fair for redband-rainbow trout this reach. The population is still recoering from three years of unprecendated drough from 2020 thru 2022. In the fall the Redband-rainbow are mostly eating minnows such as fat head minnow, blue chub, tui chub and sculpin. Flies and lures that mimic these food items will work well. Lures that mimic cratyfish can also work well.

Wading the river is treacherous. A wading staff, wading belt and excellent wading shoes with studs is a must when wading down here. Flies that are dead drifted near the bottom work better than swinging flies in most cases.

Hwy 66 Bridge downstream to Moonshine Falls Raft Launch

Closed to salmon fishing. No bait allowed. Open all year. Flows great for fishing. This section of river is open year-round. Fishing not recommended in this section due to difficult access. All gates are open. The new whitewater boat ramp at Moonshine Falls is open. Other 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. 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. 

Moonshine Falls Raft Launch to State Line with California

Closed to salmon fishing. No bait fishing. Open all Year

All gates are open now. Access to the Klamath River is also available from the Topsy Grade Road or traveling through Dorris as well. Topsy Grade Road can have large potholes. Flows are at a great level for fishing and fishing is improving. This section of river is open year-round.

Lots of different caddisfly species are hatching. Look for the hatch of the giant Ocotober caddis and match the hatch. Patterns and lures that mimic crayfish, golden stonefly nymphs, salmonfly nymphs, small mayflies, caddisflies larva and adults, and leeches should work well. Panther Martin spinners can work well down there. Recent electrofishing upstream showed extreme density of leeches and an excellent population of scuds.

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.





ODFW Recreation Report

10-10-2025
Includes updates to fishing, hunting, crabbing, clamming, and wildlife viewing. Buck deer seasons continue until Oct. 15 in Eastern Oregon and...... Read More