Apr 18
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (SOUTH FORK): bass, trout, steelhead
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000 cfs. Currently flows are around 2,700 cfs at the Waterloo gauge as of April 16. There isn't much to catch until spring Chinook and summer steelhead begin to arrive in late April. Summer steelhead are off to a pretty good start this year with over 1,200 adults having crossed into the upper Willamette River so far. A few of these fish have already arrived in the South Santiam, but it will be a few weeks before they show up in good numbers.
Spring chinook are also beginning to show up at Willamette Falls. Anglers are reminded that bait is not allowed until April 22. Last updated 4/17/24.
Apr 18
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (NORTH FORK): steelhead, trout, coho
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at around 2,500 cfs at the gauge in Mehama.
Fishing is slow this time of year. While the winter steelhead run is looking strong, these fish are ESA-listed, and avoiding targeting them is best for the fish population. Any of these unclipped (wild) steelhead or trout that are caught must be released unharmed. Also, remember that bait is not allowed until April 22.
The Chinook fishery usually begins in late April and the first few dozen spring Chinook have navigated above the falls. Summer steelhead are looking better this year with over 1,200 adults having passed above Willamette Falls as of April 15. Summer steelhead numbers are also looking promising this year. Last updated 4/115/24.
There are several large, downed trees in the river creating some dangerous hazards for boaters in the lower river. For more information check out the Oregon State Marine Board website.
Apr 18
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (NORTH FORK): steelhead, trout, coho
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at around 2,500 cfs at the gauge in Mehama.
Fishing is slow this time of year. While the winter steelhead run is looking strong, these fish are ESA-listed, and avoiding targeting them is best for the fish population. Any of these unclipped (wild) steelhead or trout that are caught must be released unharmed. Also, remember that bait is not allowed until April 22.
The Chinook fishery usually begins in late April and the first few dozen spring Chinook have navigated above the falls. Summer steelhead are looking better this year with over 1,200 adults having passed above Willamette Falls as of April 15. Summer steelhead numbers are also looking promising this year. Last updated 4/115/24.
There are several large, downed trees in the river creating some dangerous hazards for boaters in the lower river. For more information check out the Oregon State Marine Board website.
Apr 11
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (SOUTH FORK): bass, trout, steelhead
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000 cfs. Currently flows are around 2,850 cfs at the Waterloo gauge as of April 9. There isn't much to catch until spring Chinook and summer steelhead begin to arrive in late April. Summer steelhead are off to a decent start this year with over 800 adults having crossed into the upper Willamette River so far. It will be a few weeks before they show up in good numbers in the Santiam basin, however.
Spring chinook are also beginning to show up at Willamette Falls. Anglers are reminded that bait is not allowed until April 22. Last updated 4/10/24.
Apr 11
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (NORTH FORK): steelhead, trout, coho
River levels best for fishing are at or below 2,900 cfs, and the river is currently running at around 3,000 cfs at the gauge in Mehama.
Fishing is slow this time of year. While the winter steelhead run is looking strong, these fish are ESA-listed, and avoiding targeting them is best for the fish population. Any of these unclipped (wild) steelhead or trout that are caught must be released unharmed. Also, remember that bait is not allowed until April 22.
The Chinook fishery usually begins in late April and the first few dozen spring Chinook have navigated above the falls. Summer steelhead are looking better this year with over 800 adults having passed above Willamette Falls as of April 7. Last updated 4/10/24.
There are several large, downed trees in the river creating some dangerous hazards for boaters in the lower river. For more information check out the Oregon State Marine Board website.
Apr 11
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (NORTH FORK): steelhead, trout, coho
River levels best for fishing are at or below 2,900 cfs, and the river is currently running at around 3,000 cfs at the gauge in Mehama.
Fishing is slow this time of year. While the winter steelhead run is looking strong, these fish are ESA-listed, and avoiding targeting them is best for the fish population. Any of these unclipped (wild) steelhead or trout that are caught must be released unharmed. Also, remember that bait is not allowed until April 22.
The Chinook fishery usually begins in late April and the first few dozen spring Chinook have navigated above the falls. Summer steelhead are looking better this year with over 800 adults having passed above Willamette Falls as of April 7. Last updated 4/10/24.
There are several large, downed trees in the river creating some dangerous hazards for boaters in the lower river. For more information check out the Oregon State Marine Board website.
Apr 04
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (NORTH FORK): steelhead, trout, coho
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at around 3,000 cfs at the gauge in Mehama.
Fishing is slow this time of year. While the winter steelhead run is looking strong this year these fish are ESA-listed, and avoiding targeting them is best for the fish population. Any of these unclipped (wild) steelhead or trout that are caught must be released unharmed. Also, remember that bait is not allowed until April 22.
The Chinook fishery usually begins in late April and the first few spring Chinook have navigated above the falls. Summer steelhead are looking better this year with over 600 adults having passed above Willamette Falls as of March 31. Last updated 4/3/24.
There are several large, downed trees in the river creating some dangerous hazards for boaters in the lower river. For more information check out the Oregon State Marine Board website.
Apr 04
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (NORTH FORK): steelhead, trout, coho
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at around 3,000 cfs at the gauge in Mehama.
Fishing is slow this time of year. While the winter steelhead run is looking strong this year these fish are ESA-listed, and avoiding targeting them is best for the fish population. Any of these unclipped (wild) steelhead or trout that are caught must be released unharmed. Also, remember that bait is not allowed until April 22.
The Chinook fishery usually begins in late April and the first few spring Chinook have navigated above the falls. Summer steelhead are looking better this year with over 600 adults having passed above Willamette Falls as of March 31. Last updated 4/3/24.
There are several large, downed trees in the river creating some dangerous hazards for boaters in the lower river. For more information check out the Oregon State Marine Board website.