ODFW release – KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – All waters in Hagelstein Park upstream of the Highway 97 bridge are closed to angling in order to protect Shortnose (Koptu) and Lost River (C’waam) suckers that inhabit the waters in the park. The springs in the park are one of the only places in the basin where ODFW biologists have observed multiple age classes of juvenile Shortnose and Lost River suckers surviving and rearing. Both species are listed as endangered species at the federal and state levels. Lost River sucker, also known as mullet, was listed as a game fish due to the popular historic fishery on the species. The fishery was closed in the mid-1980s due to significant decline of the species. Increased public use at the site is a concern for the conservation of these species and warrants closure to avoid incidental take impacts. The site is also culturally significant to The Klamath Tribes. Restoration projects will be conducted at the site and the closure will help to achieve conservation and recovery goals. Hagelstein Park is created by a series of springs (Barkley Springs) located in Klamath County on the east side of Upper Klamath Lake and east of Hwy. 97. Barkley Springs was historically a large spawning site for Lost River suckers. It is a Klamath County Park. For the latest on regulation updates visit the Recreation Report, https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/southeast-zone
