Montana Fish Report

Hwy 66 Bridge downstream to Springs

Flows great for fishing. Closed to salmon fishing. This section of river is open year-round. Fishing not recommended in this section due to difficult access. 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.

Springs to State Line with California

Closed to salmon fishing.

The Powerhouse Road on the west side of the river is open but the access is new. Access is about 1 mile southwest of the old access road on BLM property. The entrance will be the second entrance off highway 66 and not the typical gate of entry. The entrance now has signage. 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 improving. Lots of different caddisfly species are hatching.This section of river is open year-round. Turbidity can be tracked by visiting the USGS Real Time Klamath River Gage. Fishing is recommended only when turbidity (FNU) is less than 40.

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.