First poacher is caught on the Klamath River system above former dam sites

By Dan Bacher

For two years in a row, thousands of salmon have returned to tributaries of the Klamath River above the former dam sites.

California Trout, a nonprofit conservation group, estimates that around 10,000 Chinook salmon have returned to the Klamath above the former PacifiCrop locations this fall.

But as always, somebody has to spoil the party.

The first criminal salmon poaching incident to the newly-reopened habitat was reported in the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division’s October Newsletter. Specifically, an angler was found with two Chinook salmon that he caught on Spencer Creek, a tributary of the Klamath in Oregon.

“A Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife trooper was contacted by ODFW about a subject reported to be actively angling on Spencer Creek,” the newsletter stated. ”They provided photos of an unlawful take of Chinook salmon. The individual was gone when the trooper arrived a short time later.”

However, witnesses were able to provide vehicle license plate information and the vehicle was quickly located on Highway 66 and stopped. 

“The passenger admitted to fishing and advised he didn’t think wardens would be working due to the federal government shutdown,” authorities stated. “He surrendered two salmon and his rod and reel, and was criminally cited. The fish were provided to ODFW at their request. The driver was warned for aiding.”

Officials also noted that this is the first documented criminal salmon case since the return of salmon to the Klamath Basin above the former dam sites since the dams were removed in 2023 and 2024. 

The Fish and Wildlife Division didn’t release the names of the individuals caught in the poaching incident. 

Sept. 30 was the final day to legally fish on Spencer Creek this year, as this tributary of the Klamath River closed on Oct. 1 to protect spawning fall Chinook salmon. 

Preliminary data from California Trout’s SONAR fish counting station below the former Iron Gate Dam site reveals that nearly 10,000 salmon and counting this fall. The nearly 10,000 adult-sized fish migrated upstream between September 12 and November 14, according to information shared by CalTrout.