Montana Fish Report

Keno Dam downstream to Hwy 66 Bridge

Closed to fishing for salmon. The river from Keno Dam downstream to Hwy 66 is open. Fishing remains slow due to very cold water temperatures. Please remember that the bag limit has changed to one redband rainbow trout per day in the 12- to 15-inch size class. No bait is allowed. Also, the area on the river near the Klamath Sportsman Park downstream to Hwy 66 is closed to public access.

Water temperatures are very cold but flows are very good for fishing. November and December are typically good months to fish this area however, due to extensive drought adult redband/rainbow trout numbers are very low. Catch-and-release is highly encouraged. Most redband/rainbow are small.

Springs to state line with California

Closed to salmon fishing. The Frain Ranch section is fishable as flows only increased slightly from the rain. Water tempeartures are warmer this time of year down here due to the springs entering just up river. Turbidity has declined significantly. Take the road through Dorris to access. This section of river is open year-round. Turbidity can be tracked by visiting the USGS Real Time Klamath River Gage.

Currently, turbidity is 7.2 FNU. Fishing recommended only when turbidity (FNU) is less than 40. The Powerhouse Road on the west side of the river will be closed all year. Access to the Klamath River will be available from the Topsy Grade Road or traveling through Dorris. The Topsy Grade Road can have large potholes and will be very muddy.

Patterns and lures that mimic crayfish, golden stoneflies, salmonfly nymphs, and leeches should work well. Panther Martin spinners can work well down there.

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 regulation is to protect large redband trout spawners, Chinook salmon smolts and adults, and steelhead smolts and adults.