Whiteline Reservoir near Klamath Falls: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Whiteline Reservoir is a Klamath County water, Oregon side. Height above sea level is 4,393 feet. At 288 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. The shoreline runs about 4.9 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. Size puts it in the front rank of our Klamath County list. The nearest place of any size is Klamath Falls, 8.5 miles away. After that come Altamont at 9.5 miles and Ashland at 51 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Whiteline Reservoir

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Fish documented in Klamath County include rainbow trout, klamath largescale sucker and brook trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Whiteline Reservoir the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 28°F and August at about 61°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. It sets the rhythm of the year at Whiteline Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Swan Lake, 6.9 miles out. Rules at Whiteline Reservoir are worth checking on the day.