by Rex Trulove

Created on: January 30, 2009

Klamath Lake is a large but relatively shallow body of water, with Klamath Falls at its southern tip. With many rivers and streams flowing into the lake and a major outlet, all of which have fish, it is hardly surprising that enormous fish have been and continue to be caught out of the lake.

Most of these are red-band rainbows. Fish around one to five pounds are caught commonly, and a ten-pound red-band is far from unheard of. The largest are well in excess of this, though not very common. The size of the lake and the abundant food supply makes it possible for the fish to reach enormous sizes.

There is a far larger fish in Klamath Lake however, which many visitors wouldn't even think lived in the lake: Sturgeon.

Several decades ago, there was an annual problem with fish dying in great numbers, in the lake. These were primarily a species called the Klamath Roach, locally called chubs. Hundreds of the fish, washing up on the shores of the lake, caused a substantial stench. To combat this problem, sturgeon were planted in the lake, since they will eat the Klamath roach and aren't greatly picky about whether the fish is dead or not. Sturgeon can be thought of as large underwater vacuum cleaners.

Again, with plenty of water and a huge food supply, the sturgeon flourished. Sturgeons are slow growing fish, but they become enormous over time. While records of the caught fish are not officially kept, primarily because it is unlawful in the state to keep a sturgeon under three feet or over six feet in length. However, there have been many instances when the fish were measured and weighed prior to release.

One such monster, caught at the mouth of the Williamson River where it empties into Klamath Lake, was taken to Williamson River Resort where it was measured and weighed, and then turned loose to swim back to the lake, was truly staggering in size. It tipped the scales at just less than 2,000 pounds and was roughly 14 feet in length. This was an unofficial record for the state, which still stands.

Sturgeon are rarely caught out of Klamath Lake, and the numbers most likely aren't even close to the number of trout or roaches, however they can grow to astonishing sizes. The trout and roaches can also get large, but it is doubtful any of them will ever approach the size of the sturgeon caught there.

If you happen to be fishing the lake and think you may have caught a submerged log, you might just want to reconsider. It is possible you will have actually tied into a sturgeon. That isn't greatly easier to bring in than the log, but it does add a thrill to the fishing.

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