Klamath River Fishing Report

Flows have been running high and steady all week, and that’s lit up the lower Klamath with big schools of steelhead pushing upriver. Water came up midweek with dam releases peaking around 4,100 cfs before slowly dropping off, but even as flows settle, there’s still plenty of movement and fresh fish filtering in.

The steelhead bite has been excellent, with most boats connecting with multiple fish daily, and it’s clear the main push is underway. Look for more pulses of fish moving up as the flows stabilize even more so heading into next week. Salmon are showing up in the lower river, but remember, they are currently off limits.

Stay current on regulations and make sure you have your Steelhead Card in hand.

The lower Klamath is in transition, not quite ready yet, but showing early signs. Flows are still running heavy, with over 4,000 cfs near Klamath Glen, and that’s keeping visibility on the low side due to remaining suspended sediment from the dam removals upstream. Water color isn’t chocolate milk, but it’s off enough to matter, especially in the slower stretches. Water temps are sitting in the low 70s, which isn’t helping either. Most of the movement right now is fast and light... small pulses of salmon and steelhead shooting through the system without holding, making for spotty action.

There are fish around, though, including some reports of 4–8 lb steelhead pushing through the creek mouths like Hunter and Salt. Those keyed in on these cooler inflows have had the best shot, working spinners and through the seams where warm meets cold. Everything is pacing behind flow... until that drops closer to 2,500 cfs and the river settles, we won't see much consistency.

Upstream, flows drop fast past Orleans, but fish density isn’t there yet. Most of the action worth talking about is still centered around the lower river.