Redband trout are showing up in the normal hot spots in the lake

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


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
5-15-2024
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Hagelstein Park above Hwy 97 is now closed to protect endangered Lost River suckers (C'waam), shortnose suckers (Koptu) and redband trout. ‌

The lake is open to fishing all year. Redband trout are showing up in the normal hot spots in the lake. Fishing is best from a boat. Catch rates are fair for redband trout. Most bank anglers use dead minnows with a crappie rig setup. Some use night crawlers in certain areas. Night crawlers resemble leeches well.‌

Most boat anglers troll lures that mimic minnows or sculpins. Best location to fish is near the outlet, Shoalwater Bay, Eagle Ridge , Hanks Marsh or Skillet Handle. Water clarity has improved, and water temperatures will be ideal this weekend. ‌

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 0.3 feet below full pool and 96 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, May 15th
Umatilla River: The spring Chinook fishery on the Umatilla River is open currently
Crane Prairie Reservoir: The reservoir 88 percent full
Crooked River: The USBOR continues flood control operations from Bowman Dam
East Lake: Paulina Lake Road with access to East Lake is scheduled to reopen for the year
Fall River: Fly-anglers continue to report productive and consistent spring fishing
Hood River: The peak of spring Chinook fishing on the Hood will be around Memorial Day
Hosmer Lake: The Cascade Lakes Highway is scheduled to reopen May 21 at 8 a.m.
Laurance Lake: Laurance Lake is open for the season
Odell Lake: Odell Lake Fishing Report
Clackamas River: Winter steelhead can currently be found throughout the system
Detroit Reservoir: Recent rains have filled the reservoir almost to the top
Foster Reservoir: Anglers report good success in the two arms of the reservoir, as well as the shoreline in between
Green Peter Reservoir: The water level in Green Peter continues to rise
Santiam River ( North Fork) : River is currently running at around 6,300 cfs at the gauge in Mehama
Santiam River (South Fork): Currently flows are around 3,600 cfs at the Waterloo gauge
Nestucca River: Some fish being caught both in the Bay and in the lower river
Three Rivers: Three Rivers could have a spring Chinook or summer steelhead showing up anytime now
Diamond Lake: Anglers targeting brown trout have been doing fantastic lately
Emigrant Reservoir: Emigrant is 80 percent full and continues to fill
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is 66 percent full and there is open water for bank and boat fishing
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie is 55 percent full
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt is currently 61 percent full
Lost Creek Lake: Trollers have had good early spring success at Lost Creek
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): Spring chinook fishing has been good
Rogue River - Middle: Winter steelhead are still around in the middle Rogue
Rogue River- Upper: Winter steelhead are present in the upper Rogue
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): The Rogue above Lost Creek is open for fishing but flows are a high right now
Umpqua River: The mainstem water conditions are looking good
Emigrant Reservoir: 2 lb. Bass
Ana Reservoir: The reservoir is full and all boats can launch at the ramp
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir remains 44 percent full
Heart Lake: Fishing this past week has been excellent


5-10-2024
Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming, hunting and wildlife viewing   Apply for controlled hunt tags by May 15‌ Earlier is better!...... Read More