The lake is open to fishing all year. Redband trout are moving around the lake. Water quality has been especially good this year with lack of AFA and Microcystis algae. The lake is green, but visibility is better than usual. Redband trout are spread out.

Yellow perch fishing should be ok in Pelican Bay, mouth of Williamson River and the mouth of Crystal Creek. A few yellow perch are also being caught in the main lake to Putnams Point, which is unusual. ODFW encourages harvest of all yellow perch.

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 4.2 feet below full pool and 38 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.