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Klamath River Fishing Report | September 15, 2025

Report by Capt. Jerry Lampkin
Jerry Lampkin runs TNG Guide Service and fishes the Klamath River for kings and steelhead.
What is working right now

The Klamath River king run turned on big in mid-September 2025. A full moon and big tides pushed large pods of kings in, and Capt. Jerry Lampkin's drift boat landed 20 plus kings and three steelhead in one afternoon. Steelheading stayed good too. The catch depends on staying on the moving pods, since later in the week the fish pushed way up the river and the numbers dropped off. More fish should arrive with the next tides.

Are king salmon in the Klamath River?

Yes, big time. A recent full moon and big tides brought large pods of kings into the lower Klamath. Capt. Jerry Lampkin's boat of three landed 20 plus kings and three steelhead in one afternoon. Anglers are not even targeting kings but cannot help hooking them.

How is steelhead fishing on the Klamath?

Still pretty good. Jerry is catching steelhead mixed with the kings, including a 19-inch fish on a slower day. The kings have stolen the show with the tides, but steelhead remain in the system and keep coming to the boat alongside the salmon.

How do you catch the Klamath kings?

Stay on the pods. When a wave of fish is in, staying on them as they move upriver makes for an epic day of 20 plus kings. Lose them and the bite drops fast. Jerry went from 20 plus one day to five, then two as the pods pushed up.

Why did the bite slow later in the week?

The pods moved. Wednesday and Thursday produced 20 plus kings, but by Friday it was five kings and Saturday just two with a steelhead. The fish had moved way up the river. Boats that ran up after them found the better action.

When will the next fish arrive?

Jerry expects another batch of kings to push in with the tides this week. He also planned to run up to the Rogue River to try for one for the barbecue. The Klamath run moves in waves, so timing the fresh pods is everything.

What is the Klamath outlook?

Good, in waves. Kings are running strong on the big tides and steelhead are mixed in, but you have to stay on the moving pods. Fresh fish should arrive with the next tides. Exact water conditions were not specified in this report.

Watch the full report

From the report (Capt. Jerry Lampkin): The kings have come in big-time. The last full moon and the big tides we're having this week, the big pods of fish have come in. On Wednesday, the three of us in my buddy's drift boat landed 20-plus kings and three steelhead in the afternoon. But you've got to stay on top of those fish.

Klamath River September 15, 2025 FAQ

Are Klamath River kings biting?

Yes. A full moon and big tides pushed large pods in, and Jerry's boat landed 20 plus kings in one afternoon.

Is steelhead fishing still good?

Yes, steelheading is still pretty good, with steelhead mixed in among the kings including a 19-inch fish.

Why is timing important on the Klamath?

The kings move in pods. Stay on them for an epic day, but once they push upriver the numbers drop fast.

How did the bite change through the week?

From 20 plus kings Wednesday and Thursday down to five Friday and two Saturday as the fish moved way up the river.

What is next for Jerry?

He planned to wait for another batch of fish on the tides and run up to the Rogue River on Monday.

What lures were used?

Specific lures were not specified in this report.

Who is the guide?

Jerry Lampkin of TNG Guide Service.

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    Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin runs Jeff Goodwin Guide Service on the upper Sacramento River and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Reach him at (530) 510-2925 to book a trip. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now The upper Sacramento River king salmon season opened August 1, 2026 at the world-famous Barge Hole near Anderson and Cottonwood. It was a slow opener with under a dozen fish caught, but Capt. Jeff Goodwin says prime fishing is only 2 to 3 weeks out. His go-to is back-bouncing Brad's KillerFish KF15 and KF16 plugs on 10 ounce weights, double-wrapped with fresh sardine and wild prawn. What is biting on the upper Sacramento River right now?King salmon are the target at the Barge Hole near Anderson and Cottonwood. August 1, 2026 was the official opener, and Capt. Jeff Goodwin called it a light, slow opener with fewer than a dozen fish caught. His daughter Gracie boxed the first fish. More salmon are arriving as the run builds. What technique is working for Sacramento River king salmon?Back-bouncing Brad's KillerFish KF15 and KF16 plugs on the bottom. Jeff runs 10 ounces of weight to reach bottom in the deep water, with 12 to 18 inch droppers and about a 48 inch leader. The lead gets the plugs down where the fish hold since they will not dive that deep alone. How do you wrap plugs for Sacramento River salmon?Double-wrap the plug with fresh sardine and a piece of wild-caught prawn. Jeff also wraps tuna and squid. Start with a loose wrap that keeps the hooks free so you do not tie them to the plug body, then add a couple of wraps on top. More bait draws more bites as long as it does not kill the action. How do you tune a Brad's KillerFish plug?Wrapping bait shifts the center of gravity, so a plug that ran straight can start leaning one way. The fix is the eye: if the plug swims to the right, turn the eye to the left. Test it beside the boat until it dives straight and dances side to side. Out of tune plugs will not get bit. What does massaging the plug mean?It means keeping continuous action on the plug so it never sits dead on the bottom. Pull up on the rod to make the plug dart to one side, then drop the tip so it flutters back. Salmon often hit on that flutter, so be ready for a hard, full-on strike that takes line right away. What is the guide's outlook for the Barge Hole?Jeff says the area is about 2 to 3 weeks out from really good fishing. August, September, and October are the prime months, and a late fall run from November through the end of December produces some of the biggest fish of the season. Eggs, boondogging, and hover fishing come later in the run. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): One of the favorite techniques for fishing out here in the Barge Hole is to back-bounce Brad's Killerfish. Today, we're using 15s and 16s as far as the size goes. We're running 12 to 18-inch droppers, and then about a 48-inch leader. We're using 10 ounces of weight today because we've got quite a bit of water, and we let out enough line to get down to the bottom. Sacramento River August 1, 2026 FAQ When did the upper Sacramento River salmon season open in 2026?The Barge Hole area opened August 1, 2026. Jeff notes his openers have always been July 16th and August 1st, though an open river does not mean the fishing is great yet. Where is the Barge Hole?On the upper Sacramento River near Anderson and Cottonwood, California, just below where Battle Creek dumps in. Salmon stack here and hold until the first October rains, then turn up Battle Creek to Coleman National Fish Hatchery. What weight do you use to back-bounce at the Barge Hole?Jeff ran 10 ounces of weight on opening day because there was quite a bit of water, letting out enough line to stay on the bottom. What leader and dropper lengths does Jeff Goodwin use?About 12 to 18 inch droppers and roughly a 48 inch leader, sometimes into the 50s. What baits do you wrap on Brad's KillerFish plugs?Fresh sardine and wild-caught prawn are the go-to, and Jeff also wraps tuna and squid. How do you know a plug is tuned correctly?Pull it up toward the bow of the boat. If it stays alongside the boat and dances side to side while diving straight, it is tuned. If it swims to the right, turn the eye to the left. When is the best salmon fishing on the upper Sacramento River?August, September, and October are prime, and a late fall run from November through the end of December brings some of the biggest fish. The opener itself was slow, about 2 to 3 weeks from really good fishing. Who guides the upper Sacramento River Barge Hole?Capt. Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Guide Service. Call or text (530) 510-2925 to book. Shop the Tackle Brad's KillerFish KF15 Brad's KillerFish KF16 Shop Capt. Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop River Salmon Gear

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