Catch and release for Redband (Rainbow) Trout will be required through October 31 with no bait allowed. This includes Pelican Bay and tributaries Crystal Creek, Recreation Creek, Harriman Creek, Odessa Creek, Short Creek, Pelican Bay, Fourmile Creek, Thomason Creek, Fourmile Canal, and mouth of Williamson River.

Redband Trout have been tagged with acoustic tags from Link River Dam to Shoalwater Bay boat ramp. Please release these tagged Redband Trout. They will have two purple stitches or a scar on the belly. This study will help improve the understanding of how Redband Trout move and use Upper Klamath Lake and tributaries.

Closed to angling for salmon. The lake is open to fishing all year. Fishing is very slow in the main lake Visibility is approximately one foot. Most Redband Trout have moved to water quality refuge. Lures or flies that mimic minnows, sculpins, leeches or midges work best. Fat head minnows and age one blue chub are abundant in schools in the shallows. 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 2026, very low numbers in 2019 and 2025 and the record setting drought from 2020 through 2022 which reduced survival. Redband numbers in the Williamson were also very poor the past two years. Please fight your fish quickly and then release your fish immediately without removing it from the water. Releasing fish is easier with single, barbless hooks. Using a very good rubber net also reduces the likelihood of removing valuable scales and slime.

The lake is 2 feet below full pool and 69 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.