Redband trout have begun to move to water quality refuge in good numbers this week

Upper Klamath Lake - Klamath Falls, OR (Klamath County)


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
6-12-2024
Website

The lake is open to fishing all year. Redband trout have begun to move to water quality refuge in good numbers this week. ‌

Most boat anglers troll lures that mimic minnows or sculpins. Best location to fish will be Pelican Bay. June is the best month to fish Pelican Bay. The algae bloom will continue to increase this week as water temperatures warm. ‌

Please remember that nets or 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 thru 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. ‌

The lake is 0.8 feet below full pool and 87 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, June 12th

Fourmile Lake: The lake is currently 55 percent full
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir is 38 percent full