Upper Klamath Lake is a large, shallow freshwater lake east of the Cascade Range in south-central Oregon in the United States. The largest body of fresh water by surface area in Oregon, it is approximately 25 miles long and 8 miles wide and extends northwest from the city of Klamath Falls. It sits at an average elevation of 4,140 feet.
In the early 20th century, most of the wetlands and marshes surrounding the lake were drained for agricultural purposes, damaging the larger habitat. The lake's water has been used to support the federal Klamath Project for irrigation by local farmers for a century. The lake depth fluctuates due to regulation of its water supply, averaging between 8 to 50 feet deep. The lake level is kept within 4,137 to 4,143 ft above sea level to ensure a viable fishery in the lake and to protect coho salmon in the Klamath River below the lake.[3]
Upper Klamath Lake is fed by a watershed of 3,768 square miles including the Williamson and Wood Rivers, and is drained by the Klamath River (known here as the Link River), which issues from the south end of the lake. The lake is connected by a short channel to the smaller Agency Lake to the north. The Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge has been established on land along the northern edge of the lake to preserve natural habitat.
The lake is very shallow, which produce spectacular bug hatches. The midge hatches on Upper Klamath Lake and Agency Lakes are a thing of legend.
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Tackle
Rods:
5 - 7 wt rods Rods under 5wt will not be allowed, fish are too large.
Lines:
- Rio InTouch RIO Gold
- Rio InTouch Hover Fly Line
- Rio InTouch CamoLux Fly Line
Leader/Tippet
- 3x - 5x Rio Fluoroflex Plus Tippet
- Rio Powerflex Plus Leader - 2 Pack
FLIES
Leeches/Streamers |
Nymphs |
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BH Mini Leech Damsel Leech ZT Callibaetis Nymph Damsel Nymph - Size 10 Pine Squirrel Leech - Size 12 Scott's Damsel Bugger - Size 12 Zack Attack Damsel - Size 14 BH Hale Bopp Leech TDF BH Miller's Electric Leech TDF BH Black UV Leech
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Frostbite Chironomid BH Flashback Pheasant Tail Copper John Lightning Bug Tungsten Anato-May
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Rates includes all terminal tackle (flies, leaders, etc.), beverages, fly rods/reels at no charge upon request.
CATCH & RELEASE
All trout are released unharmed regardless of regulations.
Sample Itinerary
Meeting Time & Place: We typically meet at Crater Lake Travel Center
Length of the Day: Most full days conclude around 5:00pm. Half days end around 1:00pm
Lodging
- Shilo Inn - Klamath Falls
- Sleep Inn & Suites
- Running Y Resort
- Lonesome Duck Ranch
Licencing
- Licenses can be purchased online from MyODFW, You must posses a valid fishing license.
