Fishing Locations Near the Aspen Inn

Williamson and Sprague Rivers

The Williamson River flows through Ponderosa Pine and Quaking Aspen forests running south to the Upper Klamath Lake. On the route to Upper Klamath Lake the Williamson River is joined by the Sprague River near the town of Chiloquin, Oregon. These Rivers known for very large Rainbow Trout, which move into the river from the area lakes. Five to ten pound trout are to be expected here with really big trout seen rolling. A professional Flyfishing Guide is not mandatory but highly recommended.

• Williamson River Delta Restoration - Nature Conservancy

• Spring Creek/Collier State Park - At Collier Memorial State Park Spring Creek a crystal clear stream meets the Williamson River as it leaves the marsh. This creek is a favorite for easy angling and great fishing. The creek is annually stocked with legal sized redband and brown trout. Its park-like setting makes it a great place for kids to fish. Collier Memorial State Park is nearby and has nice day-use picnic shelters, restrooms, and a very interesting logging museum and gift shop. Collier State Park also has a campground with RV sites, tent sites, showers, and more.

The Wood River and Crooked Creek

These are wonderful Fly-fishing streams, however access is difficult as most of the flyfishing area is private property. Klamath County's Wood River is a quiet step back in time. These slow, clear and cold spring waters hold large numbers of healthy resident brown and redband rainbow trout. The Wood River is ideal for dry fly fishing with its endless cut banks and grassy turns. All of this world class fishing rests in the shadow of Crater Lake's glory. Fishing the Wood River is a must do while visiting the beautiful Klamath Basin.

Lined with Quaking Aspen these streams are meadow streams with under cut banks where Rainbow and Brown Trout to 15 pounds hide. Leave your bait home these streams are Fly-fishing and lures only. Kimball State Park makes a good access area to the Wood River.

• The Wood River Day Use Area offers four picnic sites at 4,200 feet elevation. The area offers fully accessible trails, fishing platforms and restrooms, but bring your own drinking water. Picnicking, fishing and wildlife viewing are popular activities. There is no fee for use of the area and tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Crooked Creek/Klamath Fish Hatchery - The Klamath Hatchery is located along Crooked Creek, a small meandering stream with a well developed riparian area. There is a limited upland component with the hatchery site, primarily a shrubby, Ponderosa pine site. The hatchery raises rainbow, cutthroat, brook and brown trout. It provides legal-sized trout to Klamath and Lake counties and fingerlings for lakes from the southern Cascade Mountains east to the Idaho border. The current production is approximately 1 million fish each year.

Upper Klamath/Agency Lakes

Upper Klamath Lake produces a sturdy, natural fish population due to the temperature swings from summer to harsh winters, high alkalinity, and huge algae blooms. The lake is full of nutrients, blue-green algae, and can produce trout 20 inches long in approximately four years. In addition to the more common rainbow trout, there have been German Brown's and sturgeon reported.

Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes are very large and not deep. Trout will congregate in one of many springs located in the lake. Using a local Flyfishing Guide is a great way to find these springs and their holding monster trout. Lake Rainbow Trout Flyfishing in the basin is a trophy trout fishery.

• Wood River Wetlands - Facilities include paved parking, a trail, a canoe launch, picnic areas and benches, toilets, and interpretive signs. There is no drinking water. Pets must be controlled on a leash. There are no visitor fees at this site. The 3,200-acre wetland is part of the historic delta of the Wood River adjacent to Agency Lake, and it includes three miles of public access to the river banks of the Wood River itself. Since acquiring the property in 1994, the Bureau of Land Management has focused primarily on wetland and river channel restoration. Water in the 3,200-acre wetland is manipulated to enhance the habitat for wetland plants and processes, while improving water quality for fish and wildlife in Wood River.

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