Klamath River Fishing Report

Klamath River - Upper - OR


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
3-16-2022
Website

Keno Dam to J.C Boyle Reservoir

Fishing is very slow. Most redbands are moving to spawning tributaries. Remember bait is not allowed and only one fish over 15 inches can be harvested per day. Also, remember that once you retain your one redband/rainbow trout limit you must stop fishing for redband/rainbow trout.

Flows (594 cfs) are low. Water temperature is increasing to 44 degrees. Large trout in this reach feed on the many fat head minnows and chub coming down from above Keno Dam. Few trout over 18 inches are being caught this fall. Flies and lures that mimic these minnows will be successful. Remember the Klamath River eats your fishing gear. Jig style hooks, heavy line and single barbless hooks can reduce the likelihood of losing a lot of gear.

This section of the river is very challenging fishing with white water and treacherous wading. The river is loaded with boulders and drop offs. ODFW recommends a wading staff, wading belt, excellent wading boots with studs, and maybe even a helmet and shin guards!

Public access is difficult, but you can drive a horrendous road to immediately below Keno Dam. All other sites require a significant hike to the river.

J.C. Boyle Dam to J.C Boyle Powerhouse

Open all year. Flows are low and stable and typically range from 100 cfs at the dam and increase due to springs around 350 cfs at the Powerhouse. Catch rates should be good for this time of year. Fishing is best below the spring inputs. The springs start to discharge into the river approximately one mile below J.C. Boyle Dam. This section of river requires a hike down steep grade to the river except for the area just above the powerhouse.

Use small flies or lures as redband trout are mostly small (8-10 inches) in this section.

There is good access at the powerhouse. Park and walk upstream. This area is fished hard, but you can hike to get away from the pressure. Hiking or wading upstream is difficult. Small nymphs such as pheasant tails and prince nymphs work well in this section. Small black Panther Martins or Rooster Tails work well cast upstream into the deeper pools. 

J.C. Boyle Powerhouse to State Line with California

Likely the best option for fishing in the Klamath Basin. Roads will be muddy. Make sure you have good tires and 4X4. Best fishing is when flows are less than 900 cfs. You can check flow estimates at PacifiCorp Weekly Flow Estimates. You can also call the flow line at 1-800-547-1501.  Best fishing will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. this week. Fishing can be relatively good for this time of year.

Look for blue winged olive mayflies hatching. They typically hatch from 12-4 p.m. Fishing small pheasant tails size 16-18 can be productive. Switching to dry flies can be productive as well. Look for rising fishing along the back eddy foam lines. Large attractor flies such and wooly buggers, bead head prince, and rubber leg stoneflies under a strike indicator work best this time of year. Olive and black wooly buggers almost always work well. Black spinners and Panther Martins can also work. Below the JC Boyle Powerhouse the redband/rainbow trout get slightly larger than the aforementioned reach and average 12 inches but rarely exceed 16 inches. Currently, most redband caught are in the 10- to 14-inch range.





More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, March 16th, 2022
Brownlee Reservoir: Brownlee Reservoir is 35 ft. below full pool
Imnaha River: Mid-March through mid-April often is one of the best periods for steelhead fishing
Wallowa Lake : Wallowa Lake has had ice on in throughout the latter part of the winter
Crooked River: The Crooked River remains low, so anglers might look for trout in deeper waters
Lake Billy Chinook: Fishing is off to a good start since the lake opened on March 1
Metolius River: March can be a good month for fishing on the Metolius
Pine Hollow Reservoir: The reservoir is schedule to be stocked later this month
Prinevile Reservoir: Trout fishing continues to be good near the dam
Blue River Reservoir: Will be stocked this week for the first time this season
Detroit Reservoir: Currently the reservoir water level is about 70 feet above the bottom of Mongold boat ramp
Dexter Reservoir: Will be stocked again this week
EE Wilson Angling Pond: The pond is stocked with trout from February through May
Green Peter Reservoir: This reservoir is slowly filling again
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir will be stocked this week
Junction City Pond: The pond was stocked last week
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round
Santiam River (South Fork): Currently flows are around 1,900 cfs at the Waterloo gauge
Timber Linn Lake: It will be stocked this week
Waverly Lake: This lake was stocked last week
Willamette River: Catch estimates, below Willamette Falls to mouth
Alsea River: Winter steelhead fishing improved after the recent rain
Necanicum River: The hatchery winter steelhead run on the Necanicum River is done
Nehalem River: The Nehalem came up early this week but will be dropping until Saturday morning
Nehalem River- North Fork: The North Fork Nehalem should be fishable throughout the week
Nestucca River: The Nestucca is just a little on the high side
Siletz River: Winter steelhead fishing on the Siletz slowed down last week
Siuslaw River: Winter steelhead fishing continues to be steady on the Siuslaw
Trask River: The Trask is a little high but fishable
Wilson River: The Wilson is fishable
Gerber Reservoir: Gerber Reservoir is a large turbid reservoir. Bank access is good
Upper Klamath Lake: The lake is 2.5 feet below full pool and 60 percent full

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Sunday, March 13th, 2022

Columbia River: March 16 Bonneville Pool sturgeon retention day cancelled
: Oregon Troll Salmon Action Notice