Wednesday September 24, 2025
Herald and News —
Spencer Creek, one of tributaries of the Klamath River, will be closed a month earlier than usual to protect spawning fall salmon.
Spokesmen for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife noted that Spencer Creek, located in Klamath County south of Keno, has traditionally been closed from Nov. 1 to May 21, the usual time frame for streams that close to trout fishing part of the year. But, following the removal of four Klamath River dams, fall Chinook were documented on the creek for the first time since 1912.
By closing fishing season a month earlier than normal, ODFW said the goal is to prevent impacts to spawning salmon. Fall Chinook are expected to enter Spencer Creek in early fall because they typically spawn from October through December.
Bill Tinniswood, ODFW fish biologist based in Klamath Falls, said fish counts have been “unbelievable, off the charts.”
The maximum daily chinook salmon count in Spencer Creek last year was 182 while the total redd (nest) count was 81. The maximum daily count from the J.C. Boyle Dam to Caldera Rapid was 93 while the total number of redds was 15. Coho salmon had a maximum count of 19 while the number of redds was 15.
“Keep in mind that visibility in the Klamath River was poor, which reduced these counts significantly,” Tinniswood noted.
Echoing his comments on the surprisingly high fish counts was Carolyn Malecha, another Klamath Falls ODFW fish biologist.
“Through weekly live counts, redd, and carcass surveys last year we saw a robust response in fall Chinook returning to Spencer Creek for the first time in over 100 years. We are optimistic that if salmon continue to return in high numbers, we might see a self-sustaining population become established,” Malecha said.
In a related matter, Tinniswood said reports that ODFW has been transporting adult salmon upriver are false, emphasizing, “We absolutely did not transfer any adult salmon.” He discounted reports that salmon were transported upstream as completely untrue.
In announcing the upcoming fishing restrictions, ODFW notes that the Southeast Zone, or Upper Klamath Basin, remains closed to angling for Chinook and coho salmon.
“State, federal and fish biologists are actively assessing salmon populations post dam removal with some stocks being allowed to naturally repopulate and others needing active reintroduction efforts,” according an ODFW release.
It was also noted that starting in 2026 the new fishing dates — with fishing allowed from May 22 to Sept. 30 — will become permanent. The change was recently approved by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.