Upper klamath Lake is east of the Cascade Range in Oregon. It is situated north of the city of Klamath Falls and is 25 miles long but just 8 miles wide, with maximum depths of 60 feet. The lake is fed by the Wood and Williamson Rivers, and drained by the Link and Klamath Rivers.
This area is extremely important for indigenous Klamath tribes, who rely on the lake for much of their livelihood. In addition, Klamath Lake is used recreationally, attracting a wide range of visitors for sports such as boating, windsurfing, kayaking, biking, wildlife watching, and fishing.
Fish Species in Upper Klamath Lake
1) Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush)
Lake trout can reach lengths of 150 cm (59 in) and are typically green-gray with yellow spots. They are typically solitary and tend to inhabit deep, freshwater lakes, where they feed on an extremely varied diet, including freshwater sponges, small mammals, crustaceans, and insects. This species is sensitive to pollution by insecticides: studies have shown that these accumulate in the liver and muscles of the fish, where they can result in immunosuppression. Insecticides have also been shown to negatively affect the growth and reproduction of fish, including lake trout.
Lake trout typically spawn after dusk, with males arriving first to clean rocks before the females make their appearance sometime later. One female’s eggs are often fertilized by more than one male, with occasional group spawning, consisting of multiple males and females, taking place. There are a number of factors that have been identified as important for successful spawning, such as water depth, quality, presence of predators, and type of substrate – however, the degree to which these affect spawning is largely unknown.
2) Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
The rainbow trout’s name originates from its characteristic bright colors, ranging from olive-green to purple, with most individuals displaying a distinctive red stripe along the lateral line. Slightly smaller than lake trout, rainbow trout can attain lengths of 122 cm (48 in), although they are more commonly found to be about half that. These fish prefer clear, well-oxygenated waters between 10°C – 24°C (50°F – 75°F), where they consume aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, as well as other small fish.
Another popular table fish, they can be cooked in an enormous variety of ways. Lake Klamath is a very popular spot for fly-fishing for rainbow trout, although there is a catch limit of one per day. The rainbow trout population in Klamath Lake has been affected by blooms of cyanobacteria in recent years, which has a significant effect on water quality and oxygen levels. Good places to fish for rainbow trout include the mouth of Wood River and of Williamson River – this is where rainbow trout enter the lake, so can be found in great abundance.
Rainbow trout spawn between November and May in Klamath Lake. The female creates a hollow in the substrate while the male guards her; once this ‘nest’ is complete they both descend into it to spawn. Interestingly, after they have finished spawning, a second subordinate male will follow and attempt to fertilize some of the eggs, while the original male and female move on to creating a new nest to repeat the process.
3) Tui chub (Siphateles bicolor)
Tui chub reach a maximum length of 45 cm (18 in). They have a preference for quiet, vegetated areas with a muddy or sandy substrate, where they subsist on a diet of amphipods, Diptera larvae, gastropods, and cladocerans. Being a fairly adaptable species, the tui chub has developed a number of subspecies, which, while all being fairly similar in appearance, are reported to be distinguishable by examining the ‘number of gill rakers and pharyngeal teeth’.
This species spawns among dense vegetation, in which the juveniles remain as they mature, presumably to gain protection from predators. Tui chub larvae are susceptible to predation from dragonfly nymphs, and adults are predated on by osprey and rainbow trout.
The best places to fish for tui chub in Klamath Lake are in marshy bays, with Wocus Marsh, Shoalwater Marsh, and Hanks Marsh all being good spots. Although tui chubs are not an especially popular table fish, the meat is reported to have a sweet, pleasant taste.
4) Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Chinook salmon are popular game fish due to their large size (with lengths of up to 150 cm (59 in)) and their aggressive nature upon catching. A highly migratory species, their life history is split between marine and freshwater environments: typically they venture into freshwater to spawn, although some individuals spend their entire lives in freshwater and never reach the sea. This species feeds on a varied diet, including insects, crustaceans, and other fishes, and is in turn, predated on by birds such as osprey. Juvenile Chinook salmon are frequently eaten by smaller birds such as kingfishers.
Dams placed along the Klamath River have been linked to population declines of Chinook salmon in Klamath Lake, which, as well as having a negative effect on the ecology of the area, also impacts the many tribes that reside in the region, who rely heavily on fishing. Fishways have been installed at some of these dams, however progress with this has reportedly been slow, limiting the recovery of Chinook salmon populations.
During spawning, females dig nests in the substrate while being courted by one large male. Multiple smaller males guard the nest at this time and then make attempts to fertilize her eggs despite the presence of the dominant male. Females cover the eggs and then guard the nest themselves, while the males head off in search of more females.
5) Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)
The pumpkinseed is a species of sunfish. With a maximum length of 40 cm (16 in), this brightly colored fish gets its name from its body shape – which is just like that of a pumpkin seed. This species prefers quiet, well-vegetated areas, where it lives in pairs or small groups and feeds on small fishes and fish eggs, as well as the occasional invertebrate.
The pumpkinseed is not a game fish and as such is not generally sought out for recreational or commercial fishing, however younger anglers apparently find this species a rewarding catch and will pursue it. In addition, pumpkinseeds provide an important food source for the herons and cormorants of Klamath Lake.
During spawning, which takes place between May and July, the male constructs a nest in the substrate, which is visited by the female. The male fish then provides parental care, guarding and fanning the eggs until they hatch, at which point the fry seek refuge in shallow, vegetated regions of the lake.
6) Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
The bluegill is fairly similar in appearance to the pumpkinseed, but one simple way to tell these two species apart is to look at the gill flap: pumpkinseeds have a red spot surrounded by white towards the back of the gill flap, whereas bluegill do not.
Bluegills can reach maximum lengths of 41 cm (16 in), and feed predominantly on crustaceans, insects, and plant matter. They are typically most active during the day, and when searching for food will hover to look around before rapidly moving on again, using their pectoral fins to stabilize themselves in the water during these periods of stillness. The eyesight of bluegills is exceptional; they possess color vision and can detect small moving objects easily, which aids their foraging. Interestingly, a study into foraging behavior in bluegills found that the length of the pectoral fin positively correlated with the amount of time they remained hovering.
This species prefers to spawn over a sandy or gravelly substrate, in which the nest can be created by the male. Spawning usually takes place on mass throughout the whole colony, after which only the males remain to guard the nests and provide parental care until 5 – 10 days after hatching.
7) Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas)
The black bullhead is a species of catfish that can reach lengths of around 66 cm (26 in). The morphology of bullheads is quite distinctive, with a rounded tail and multiple barbels around the snout to aid foraging. They also have sharp spines in their dorsal and pectoral fins, which transmit a poisonous substance if they puncture flesh – although thankfully this is harmless to humans!
Black bullheads feed under the cover of darkness on crayfish, mussels, plant matter, and snails. Juvenile black bullheads are typically targeted by herons and otters, while the larger individuals are sought out by humans – having a characteristic sweet taste that makes them a popular eating fish.
During spawning, the female locates a suitable spot to build the nest, usually underneath debris such as fallen trees. She then awaits the arrival of the male, and they both enter the nest and remain there, facing in opposite directions to spawn. Interestingly, the female has been observed to ‘headbutt’ the male in his abdomen as he enters the nest. Both parents guard and fan the eggs, but it is only the male that remains after hatching, protecting the fry from predation.
8) Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Channel catfish are large game fish, attaining lengths of up to 132 cm (52 in). They are typically blue-gray with a white underbelly and dark spots along their back, and possess barbels on their snout that are characteristic of all catfish, enabling them to forage in the dark. This species prefers deep, well-oxygenated lakes with a sandy or rocky substrate, where it feeds on fish, crustaceans, insects, snails, and even the occasional small mammal. They have also been reported to feed on terrestrial vegetation.
In contrast to the black bullhead, it is the male channel catfish that builds the nest, which is typically located underneath fallen trees or other floating debris. The male attempts to herd the female into the nest and will thwart any attempts she might make to leave. During spawning, the two fish face in opposite directions and curl their tails around the other’s head.
When fishing for channel catfish it is worth remembering that they are a demersal species, and as such fishing efforts should be concentrated towards the bottom of the lake. Fishing for channel catfish around dusk and into the night is also likely to yield greater success than daytime fishing. Channel catfish are popular table fish and can be cooked in a great variety of ways.
9) Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Largemouth bass are an extremely popular game fish, although Klamath Lake does not have an especially abundant population and as such is not a renowned bass fishing spot. The best place to locate largemouth bass on the Klamath River is around the Iron Gate Dam.
This species can reach lengths of 97 cm (38 in) and prefers a muddy or sandy substrate with plenty of vegetation. Adult largemouth bass have a varied diet consisting of crayfish, frogs, and crustaceans, and they also occasionally show cannibalistic tendencies, although this is seen more commonly in densely packed juvenile populations. Juveniles are also predated by birds such as kingfishers and herons.
During spawning, largemouth bass become highly aggressive towards their conspecifics. The males move first to shallow water, where they construct nests in muddy substrate, which are later visited by the female. Females frequently visit more than one nest, while it is the male who remains to provide parental care and guard the nest. Between spring and summer, the spawning season for largemouth bass is one of the best times to fish for this species.
10) Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Smallmouth bass are another popular game fish that can reach lengths of 69 cm (27 in). Similar to the largemouth bass, they are not Klamath Lake’s most abundant species, but may be found in greater numbers around the Iron Gate Dam.
This species is usually located over rocky or gravelly substrates, where the adults feed on crayfish, insects, and fishes (occasionally showing cannibalism, as in the largemouth bass). Juvenile smallmouth bass subsist on a slightly different diet of plankton and aquatic insects, transitioning from this as they grow in size and reach maturity.
Although smallmouth bass are not particularly common in Klamath Lake, it is worth noting that studies have suggested that these, and largemouth bass, may have adverse ecological impacts on their environment. These include increasing competition between small fish species, and where juvenile smallmouth bass are present in large numbers, altering the composition of planktonic populations in the lake.
11) Shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris)
The shortnose sucker is endemic to the Klamath River basin and prefers well-oxygenated, vegetated areas close to the shore. Able to reach lengths of 64 cm (25 in), individuals are generally green-brown in color with a paler underside.
Chasmistes brevirostris is an endangered species, with their decline being linked to a number of factors: construction of dams along the Klamath River and poor water quality being two major contributing issues. The presence of algal blooms (cyanobacteria) can reduce oxygen concentration and increase ammonia in the water, which may prove fatal for juvenile shortnose suckers.
Shortnose suckers tend to spawn over a gravelly substrate, traveling from Klamath Lake up the river to find suitable sites. Once hatched however, the juveniles drift straight back down to the lake to find a suitable habitat in which to feed and grow. They consume a diet of decomposing organic matter, zooplankton, and aquatic insects.
12) Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
The black crappie can reach lengths of 49 cm (19 in), although is more commonly caught at lengths of 27.5 cm (11 in). It is a highly popular game fish, although is reported to have a particularly sensitive mouth, meaning that anglers must take care when catching it. Additionally, keeping the bait moving continuously will aid in catching black crappies. Black crappies also play an important role in commercial fisheries.
This species has a fairly distinctive appearance, with dark mottled patterns across a silvery background. Individuals feed on planktonic crustaceans, dipterous larvae, and small fishes, and in turn are frequently predated on by largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill in Klamath Lake.
Spawning takes place between March and July, beginning with the construction of a nest by the male, usually in gravel or mud with plenty of vegetation to provide cover. The male remains near the nest after spawning, to protect first the eggs, and then the larvae, before they move into the vegetation to hide from predators.
13) White crappie (Pomoxis annularis)
The white crappie has a preference for turbid water and muddy or sandy substrates. Reaching maximum lengths of 53 cm (21 in), it is a popular game fish: the best spots for white crappie in Klamath Lake are reportedly near Klamath Falls.
While juvenile white crappie subsist on a diet of microcrustaceans and insects, the adults feed on other fish species, such as small threadfin shad and gizzard shad if they are available. Largemouth bass and warmouth predate larval white crappie, despite their attempts to avoid this by being well camouflaged and hiding amongst aquatic vegetation. White crappies are also frequently parasitized by organisms such as leeches, which attach to the fish’s gills and feed on their blood. This puts the crappie at increased risk of contracting blood diseases transferred between individuals via the leeches.
During spawning, it is the male white crappie who prepares the spawning site and, once the eggs are laid, provides parental care. In contrast, the female does not remain to care for eggs or larvae and may engage in spawning with multiple males. Eggs are typically laid among aquatic vegetation, although submerged objects are often used as spawning sites as well.
14) Yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
Yellow perch can reach lengths of 50 cm (20 in), although they are more commonly caught at lengths of just 19 cm (7 in). This species consumes a diet of immature insects, fish, and fish eggs, and are predated on by osprey that hunt Klamath Lake and surrounding areas. Juveniles may also be picked off by larger fish species such as the largemouth bass.
This species tends to spawn among vegetation, although this is not essential, and where plant cover is not present, they will spawn over sand or gravel. The eggs adhere to each other and are produced in long strands; females leave as soon as spawning is complete, whereas males will remain for a time, despite neither adult providing any form of parental care.
Yellow perch are abundant throughout Klamath Lake and are a popular game fish. The easiest times to fish for this species is during the spring or fall when they occupy the shallows. They may be caught in summer, but this is much more difficult due to them seeking out deeper waters in order to regulate their temperature.
15) Sacramento perch (Archoplites interruptus)
Sacramento perch can reach lengths of 73 cm (29 in) and are most commonly found in quiet, well-vegetated areas. The typical diet of the Sacramento perch includes insect larvae, snails, zooplankton, fish, and emerging insects. There is evidence to suggest that this species is predated on by catfish in Klamath Lake, and being highly palatable, it is also targeted by humans.
Archoplites interruptus is endangered, with many of its native ranges now being devoid of this species altogether. There are numerous factors attributed to this, such as loss of suitable habitat, and increased competition with bluegill, a species that has a similar diet and thus requires similar resources. They are also sensitive to water contamination and high alkalinity, which may limit their growth.
Due to the Sacramento perch now having a rather limited gene pool, conservation efforts have been identified as requiring genetic management. Interestingly, the use of Sacramento perch in recreational fisheries has also been suggested as a conservation strategy, as this would encourage their introduction and breeding, thus increasing numbers.
16) Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus)
Warmouths are quite a striking species, displaying golden undersides and a mottled brown pattern, with males having an additional orange spot towards the rear of the dorsal fin. These are fairly small fish, with maximum lengths of just 31 cm (12 in), and consume a diet of fish, insects, and mollusks. Warmouth themselves are a common prey species for herons and other, larger fish species.
During spawning, the male prepares the nest by fanning the area with their tails to clear it. Once the eggs have been laid and fertilized, the female leaves while the male remains to guard them and the fry after hatching.
Warmouth are fairly easy to fish for, although they reportedly taste better when caught in clear water. The best places to fish for them are typically around fallen trees or aquatic vegetation.
