Klamath River Fishing Report

Report Updated May 20, 2013

SLOW FOR SPRINGERS

The Lower Klamath is already warm and mossy and the springer fishing has largely been a bust. It would be sweet if we got a good late rain to maybe kick things into gear.

Trusted Guides

JOHN’S GUIDE SERVICE
Extremely dedicated, thoroughly professional and an all-around great guy, John Klar is truly one of California’s premier guides. We’d fish with him any day of the week…and twice on Sunday!

REDWOOD COAST FISHING
“Steelie” Mike Stratman specializes in drift boat trips for salmon and steelhead in off-the-beaten path corners of California’s North Coast. Simply put, he’s a great fisherman…and a really nice guy too boot!

Current River Conditions

DFG Fishing Regulations

Current Weather

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar

Lower Klamath River map

View Larger Map

Lower Klamath River

Who needs Alaska when you have the lower Klamath? Known around the globe for booting out some truly Alaskan-like salmon fishing August through October, the lower river is also a dynamite spot to chase steelhead in that same time frame.

Winter steelhead pass through here as well, though they are guaranteed safe passage by high flows in all but most extended periods of dry weather. Salmon anglers return in May and June to target spring Chinook bound for the Trinity system.

Throw in abundant wildlife and some seriously remote and wild country and you’ve got the makings for an epic destination!

A quick glimpse at fishing the Lower Klamath
Klamath Steelhead Video

The Middle Klamath

If you’re into great steelhead and salmon fishing, epic scenery and tons of elbow room, the middle section of the Klamath is a great bet. There’s tons of good water from Weitchpec to Seiad Valley and hardly a soul fishing most of the time. The main reason for the lack of traffic in the area is that there’s no quick way to get here. This is the boonies…You don’t get to places like Happy Camp, Fort Goff or Scott Bar by accident. But once you’re there, you’ve got a world class fishery nearly to yourself!

Plug Color Selection for Salmon
How to fillet a sardine for plug wraps

The Upper River

The stretch of river between Iron Gate Dam and I-5 used to be the best kept secret in Northern California. There’s a year-round resident trout fishery, plus seasonal runs of steelhead. In the fall, the upper river gets stacked with “black beauty” kings that are not exactly the best table fare — but still fun to pull on.

You’ll notice, we said “used to” when describing the top secret nature of the fishery. Let’s just say the cat’s outta the bag now and you can expect plenty of company fishing up here. Of course, drop downstream more towards Seiad Valley, however and you’re gonna find plenty of good water and room to fish.

DFG Fishing Regulations