Klamath River Fishing Report | August 18, 2025
The report at a glance
Presentation
For the slow Klamath steelhead, soft beads, roe, and diving plugs are still drawing the occasional bite. On the Rogue, a trolled flasher and anchovy combo produced the big adult king, and a trolled gold spoon also scored.
Lures and baits
Brad's 360 flasher paired with an anchovy bait head (produced the 22 pound Rogue king)
Trolled gold spoon
Roe and soft beads (Klamath steelhead and jack)
Advice for this week
With the Klamath between runs, plan on covering water for a bite or two. The Rogue is the better bet right now for kings. Note that Jerry is not guiding the Rogue, so line up a local guide if you want in on that action.
What is changing
The Klamath is between runs; last week's strong steelhead bite has slowed a lot; the salmon run has not started and the river mouth may be partly blocked; the Rogue king bite is picking up.
Next week
Expect the Rogue king bite to keep improving. The Klamath king run should follow within a couple of weeks once fresh fish push in.
Notable catch
A 22 pound adult king salmon on the Rogue, taken on a Brad's 360 flasher and anchovy bait head.
The Klamath River steelhead bite has slowed in mid-August 2025, with the river caught between the steelhead and salmon runs. Jerry Lampkin still picks up one or two on soft beads, roe, and Hot Shots. The nearby Rogue River king salmon bite is picking up. A 22-pound king came on a flasher and anchovy, and a 15-pound king on a trolled three-quarter-ounce gold Kastmaster.
What is biting on the Klamath River right now?
The epic steelhead bite has slowed. Jerry Lampkin is still getting one or two fish on soft beads, roe, and the occasional Hot Shot. A little jack salmon hit roe one morning, but the big kings have not shown yet.
Why is the Klamath bite slow in mid-August?
The river is caught between the steelhead run and the salmon run, and the salmon run really has not started. Some tribal anglers also said the river mouth may be blocked off a bit, which could be part of the problem.
How is the Rogue River king salmon fishing?
Picking up quite a bit, usually a couple of weeks ahead of the Klamath king run. Jerry Lampkin scored a 22-pound adult king on a flasher and an anchovy, plus a 15-pound king on a trolled three-quarter-ounce gold Kastmaster.
What baits and lures are working right now?
On the Klamath, soft beads, roe, and Hot Shots. On the Rogue, a flasher with an anchovy or a trolled gold Kastmaster. These are not Catch America products, so match them with comparable trolling and drift gear.
What is the outlook for the Klamath and Rogue?
Jerry Lampkin plans to head back to the Rogue this week. Note he is not guiding the Rogue himself, so contact local guides like Kevin or Jeff to get in on that king bite.
Watch the full report
Klamath River August 18, 2025 FAQ
Only a few. The bite has slowed to one or two fish on soft beads, roe, or a Hot Shot, per Jerry Lampkin.
Not yet. Only a small jack salmon was caught on roe. The big kings have not arrived.
A 22-pound king hit a flasher and anchovy, and a 15-pound king took a trolled three-quarter-ounce gold Kastmaster.
Some tribal anglers said the river mouth may be blocked off a little, which could be slowing the fishing.
No. He recommends contacting local guides such as Kevin or Jeff to fish the Rogue.
Specific water temperature and clarity were not specified in this report.
