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Klamath River Fishing Report | September 22, 2025

Report by Capt. Jerry Lampkin
Jerry Lampkin runs TNG Guide Service and chases salmon and steelhead across Northern California and Oregon rivers.
What is working right now

The Klamath River had a hot king run in late September 2025, with 20 to 30 kings released in a day plus steelhead and jacks before fish moved upriver. Jerry Lampkin scored on Brad's Laser Minnows and by side-drifting and boondogging roe. On the Chetco he landed a 26-pound hatchery hen on a chrome flasher with a Mexican Hat spinner.

How is the Klamath River salmon fishing?

Hot early in the week. Jerry Lampkin's boat released around 20 to 30 kings in a day plus a couple of steelhead and lots of jacks, which bodes well for future returns. The action slowed later in the week as those fish pushed up into the upper river.

What are Klamath kings biting on?

Brad's Laser Minnows produced well, and Jerry also released fish side-drifting and boondogging roe. In Blake's Riffle the action was nonstop until the sun hit the water, then it tapered off for the day.

How is the Rogue River fishing?

Slow to start. Jerry lost his first two fish, then picked up a couple of jacks for the smokehouse on Brad's Laser Minnows later in the afternoon. It was a grind compared to the Klamath earlier in the week.

What about the Chetco River?

The Chetco holds big fish and fished smoother than the Rogue. Jerry scored a 26-pound hatchery hen right off the bat on a chrome flasher with a Mexican Hat style spinner. He rated it a fun, big-fish river worth trying early in the season.

What is the outlook across these rivers?

The Klamath fish moved way up the river, so the lower stretches slowed. Jerry planned to head home to the American River next to target kings. Water depth and temperature were not specified in this report.

Watch the full report

From the report (Capt. Jerry Lampkin): On Tuesday, we came back to the Klamath, and the four of us in my boat released about 20 or so kings. Some of the guys are saying more like closer to 30. We scored a nice 26-pound hatchery hen right off the bat on a chrome flasher with a Mexican hat style spinner. We still managed to release eight side drifting and boondogging roe.

Klamath River September 22, 2025 FAQ

How many kings did the Klamath produce?

Jerry's boat released around 20 to 30 kings in a single day, plus steelhead and jacks.

What lure worked for Klamath and Rogue salmon?

Brad's Laser Minnows, along with side-drifting and boondogging roe.

What caught the big Chetco fish?

A 26-pound hatchery hen came on a chrome flasher with a Mexican Hat style spinner.

Why did the Klamath bite slow down?

The fish moved up into the upper portions of the river, leaving the lower stretches slower.

Are there a lot of jacks in the Klamath?

Yes, lots of jacks, which Jerry says bodes well for next year's returns.

What is next for the report?

Jerry planned to head home to the American River to target kings.

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    Sacramento River Fishing Report | August 1, 2026

    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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    San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | July 27, 2026

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    Northwest Oregon Fishing Report | July 2026

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