Fishing at Upper Klamath Lake, Klamath County, Oregon

• Overview

  Look for Upper Klamath Lake in Klamath County, Oregon. Beyond the shoreline you have rolling hill. Surface area runs to some 97.0 sq miles, so a boat and a plan are both worth having. Bays run back a long way, and the fish move between them with the season. By surface area it heads our Klamath County listings. Klamath Falls lies 12 miles from the water. After that come Altamont at 15 miles and Ashland at 45 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Upper Klamath Lake

  It is listed at 50 ft. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Reported across Klamath County: rainbow trout, klamath largescale sucker and brook trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Take Upper Klamath Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 64°F; by January the average is down near 30°F. In milder years the surface never sets. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. At Upper Klamath Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  State or federal ownership covers this water. Being dammed, it draws down in some seasons and fills in others. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Whiteline Reservoir at 7.6 miles is the sensible second choice. For Upper Klamath Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.