Bumphead Reservoir, Oregon: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Bumphead Reservoir lies within the bounds of Klamath County, Oregon. The water sits 4,741 feet up. The water covers some 43 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Around 1.7 miles of margin, front to back. Supplies mean a trip to Altamont, 34 miles off. Further out sit Klamath Falls (36 miles) and Lakeview (40 miles). It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Bumphead Reservoir

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Species logged across Klamath County include rainbow trout, klamath largescale sucker, brook trout and yellow perch. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Anyone new to Bumphead Reservoir should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 67°F, while January sits near 30°F. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Bumphead Reservoir fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is Threemile Reservoir, 3 miles out. For Bumphead Reservoir, the notice at the access point is the final word.