Klamath River - Upper - OR Fish Report for 12-17-2025
Klamath River Report
Klamath River - Upper - OR

by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
12-17-2025
Website
Announcement:
Based on requests from the recreation community officials with Klamath River Renewal are re-evaluating the seasonal closure of the Klamath River boat ramp access. For now, the sites will remain open past the Nov 20 closure date previously announced.
Users should be aware the sites are not maintained for winter use. Snow may limit access, and new closures may be announced. Users should check the following sources of info for updates: https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/boater-info/pages/opportunities-and-access.aspx
For reference, see Keno Run and Big Bend Run
Keno Dam Downstream to Highway 66
Closed to fishing for salmon. No bait allowed. Only one redband-rainbow between 12-15 inches can be kept per day. Once you retain your limit of Redband-Rainbow you must cease fishing for this species.
River flows are at good levels for good fishing. Water tempertures are very cold.
Fishing has been slow for redband-rainbow trout is this reach. The population is still recovering from three years of unprecendated drought from 2020 thru 2022. In the fall the Redband-rainbow are mostly eating minnows such as fat head minnow, blue chub, tui chub and sculpin. Flies and lures that mimic these food items will work well. Leeches and scuds are also quite abundant. Lures that mimic crayfish can also work well.
Wading the river is treacherous. A wading staff, wading belt and excellent wading shoes with studs is a must when wading down here. Flies that are dead drifted near the bottom work better than swinging flies in most cases.
Hwy 66 Bridge downstream to Moonshine Falls Raft Launch
Closed to salmon fishing. No bait allowed. Open all year. Flows great for fishing. This section of river is open year-round. Fishing not recommended in this section due to difficult access. All gates are open. Other access to the Klamath River will be available from the Topsy Grade Road, traveling through Dorris or the upper access on BLM property above the old access road on the west side. Topsy Grade Road can have large potholes. This section of the river will require a significant hike to the river on the east side.
Regulations changed Jan. 1, 2024 to a bag limit of one redband rainbow trout per day in the 12- to 15-inch size class. This is to protect large redband trout spawners, chinook, coho and steelhead smolts and Chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead adults.
Moonshine Falls Raft Launch to State Line with California
Closed to salmon fishing. No bait fishing. Open all Year
All gates to access the river are open now. Access to the Klamath River is also available from the Topsy Grade Road or traveling through Dorris as well. Topsy Grade Road can have large potholes. Flows are at a great level for fishing and fishing is improving. This section of river is open year-round.
There was limited insect activity three weeks ago. Small redband-rainbow were feeding in the back eddy foam lines. Fishing was slow. A heavily weighted rubber legged dark stonefly caught a few fish.
Patterns and lures that mimic crayfish, golden stonefly nymphs, salmonfly nymphs, small mayflies, caddisflies larva and adults, and leeches should work well. Panther Martin spinners can work well down there. Recent electrofishing upstream showed extreme density of leeches and an excellent population of scuds.
Click here for Klamath River flow and turbidity.
Regulations changed on Jan. 1, 2024 to a bag limit of one redband-rainbow trout per day in the 12- to 15-inch size class. This is to protect large redband trout spawners, chinook, coho and steelhead smolts, and Chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead adults.
More Reports
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, December 17th, 2025
Chetco River: Heavy rainfall is predicted to raise the river flow significantly this week
Coos River: Chinook salmon have moved through the bay
Coquille River: Striped bass fishing in the lower Coquille has slowed substantially
Elk River: The river has been low and clear, but should come up significantly this week from heavy rainfall
Floras Lake: Anglers may want to fish in the afternoon when conditions are a little warmer
Garrison Lake: Streams in the area may become too high and muddy to fish this week after heavy rainfall
Rogue River- Lower: Heavy rainfall is predicted to bring flows up this week
Tenmile Lakes: Tenmile Lakes Report
Agency Lake: The lake remians ice free
Campbell Reservoir: The reservoir will begin to freeze on the edges with freezing nights
Fourmile Lake: The lake will begin to freeze soon
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir is at 51 percent full
Upper Klamath Lake: Upper Klamath Lake Report
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Tuesday, December 16th, 2025
Grande Ronde River: Fishing for steelhead has been good when the water clarity and flows have been good
Imnaha River: Steelhead fishing has been good in the lower portion of the river
Wallowa Lake : Fish are still available for hardy anglers
Wallowa River: Steelhead are starting to move into the Wallowa River and are being caught by anglers
Alsea River: Fall Chinook is winding to a close on the Alsea river
Kilchis River: It is still early for winter steelhead on the Kilchis River, the run peaks January through March
Necanicum River: The Necanicum is in decent shape but may blow out again on Thursday
Nehalem River: The mainstem Nehalem will likely go another weekend without dropping into decent condition
Nehalem River- North Fork: The North Fork Nehalem dropped back into fishable condition last weekend
Nestucca River: The Nestucca peaked over 16 feet last week and is still high and off color
Salmon River: Winter steelhead will start moving into the basin
Siletz River: Fall Chinook is slowing down as we progress towards the end of the season
Three Rivers: Three Rivers has some steelhead showing up
Trask River: Steelhead are just getting started and will peak January through March
Wilson River: The Wilson peaked near 15 feet (flood stage) and is still high
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