Southern Oregon & Northern California News
Latest local news from Southern Oregon and Northern California, covering Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Jackson County, Josephine County, Klamath County, Siskiyou County, Del Norte County, and communities throughout the region.
Nearly 200 Abandoned Crab Traps Lead to Multi-Year Suspensions off Del Norte Coast
Nearly 200 abandoned Dungeness crab traps found off the Del Norte County coast have led to major penalties for two commercial fishermen. California wildlife officers documented 194 abandoned traps near the Klamath and Smith rivers, along with additional violations involving reporting, gear marking, trap servicing, and the waste of hundreds of crabs.
In Photos: Wildflowers Return to the Klamath
A spring wildflower bloom is spreading across the former Iron Gate and Copco reservoir footprints, where the Yurok Tribe says crews have planted millions of native seeds since the removal of four Klamath River dams in 2024. The returning plants are helping stabilize soil, support wildlife and rebuild habitat along the river.
Gerber And Topsy Campgrounds Open May 13
The Bureau of Land Management will open Gerber and Topsy campgrounds for the 2026 recreation season on Wednesday, May 13. The two Klamath-area public lands destinations offer camping, fishing, hiking, boating, wildlife viewing, and day-use access ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
Klamath River Dam Removal Project Earns International Award
The Klamath River Renewal Project has received international recognition for its role in restoring fish passage and river connectivity following the removal of four hydroelectric dams. Project partners say the effort reopened more than 400 miles of historic habitat for salmon, steelhead and lamprey.
$6 Million Awarded to Restore Spring Salmon in Klamath Basin
Federal agencies have awarded $6 million to help tribes and Oregon officials restore spring Chinook salmon in the Klamath Basin through hatchery expansion and remote stream incubation sites.
Klamath Indigenous Land Trust Purchases 10,000 Acres Along Klamath River
The Klamath Indigenous Land Trust has acquired 10,000 acres along the Klamath River from PacifiCorp, returning key river lands to Indigenous stewardship for the first time in more than a century.
AI-Assisted Monitoring Tracks Chinook Migration into the Upper Klamath Basin
One year after dam removal on the Klamath River, advanced sonar, artificial intelligence, and tagging data show thousands of Chinook salmon returning to habitat closed for more than a century.
Salmon Poached in Klamath Basin
Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers have issued a criminal citation for the unlawful taking of Chinook salmon in the Klamath Basin, marking the first such case since the removal of dams on the Klamath River and the historic return of salmon to local waterways.
Free Fishing Returns; Crab Season Pushed Back
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued several updates ahead of the holiday weekend, including two statewide free fishing days, expanded public access on the restored Klamath River, and a coastwide delay to the commercial Dungeness crab season. Recreational crabbing and clamming remain open in many areas, while winter weather may affect river site access.
Fish Screens in High Demand — But State Officials Warn Fixes Will Take Years
Oregon officials say they recognize the urgent push for fish screens as salmon return to the Upper Klamath Basin — but warn the engineering, cost, and statewide backlog mean fast solutions are unlikely.
Riding the River Home
A sweeping new OPB documentary, First Descent: Kayaking the Klamath, follows Indigenous teens on a 310-mile river journey only made possible after the Klamath’s major dams came down. Blending adventure filmmaking with powerful cultural storytelling, the film captures a historic moment on a river reborn.