Klamath River Fishing Report | September 22, 2025
The report at a glance
Presentation
Side drifting and boondogging roe on the Klamath. On the Chetco, a chrome flasher paired with a spinner. Rogue jacks came on minnow-style plugs.
Lures and baits
Roe fished on the side drift (Klamath)
Brad's Laser Minnows (Rogue)
Chrome flasher with a Mexican Hat style spinner (Chetco)
Best time
Early, before the sun hit the water
Advice for this week
Follow the fish. When a run gets pounded and pushes upriver, move up with it rather than grinding dead water.
What is changing
The Klamath produced a hot bite early in the week before fish pushed upriver and slowed the action.
Next week
This wraps the Klamath adventure. Jerry heads home to the American River next to target kings, so a fresh report is coming.
Notable catch
A standout 26-pound hatchery hen on the Chetco River.
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
Klamath River September 22, 2025 FAQ
Jerry's boat released around 20 to 30 kings in a single day, plus steelhead and jacks.
Brad's Laser Minnows, along with side-drifting and boondogging roe.
A 26-pound hatchery hen came on a chrome flasher with a Mexican Hat style spinner.
The fish moved up into the upper portions of the river, leaving the lower stretches slower.
Yes, lots of jacks, which Jerry says bodes well for next year's returns.
Jerry planned to head home to the American River to target kings.
