Santiam River
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Recent Guide Reports
Apr 23
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (SOUTH FORK): Bass, trout, steelhead
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 2,800cfs at the gage in Waterloo. 2026 runs of Chinook and summer steelhead have started to enter the basin with a few having made it all the way to the ladder below Foster Reservoir, but it will be several more weeks before they arrive in numbers in the basin. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Last updated 04/20/26.
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 2,800cfs at the gage in Waterloo. 2026 runs of Chinook and summer steelhead have started to enter the basin with a few having made it all the way to the ladder below Foster Reservoir, but it will be several more weeks before they arrive in numbers in the basin. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Last updated 04/20/26.
Apr 23
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (NORTH FORK): Steelhead, trout, Chinook, coho
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 2,400cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run has begun with a few fish already having arrived in the basin, along with the first summer steelhead of the season. More than 1,000 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as of April 16. Spin cast with lures or swing large streamer flies through the pools.
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.
Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. Bait is allowed between April 22 and October 31. Last updated 04/20/26.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 2,400cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run has begun with a few fish already having arrived in the basin, along with the first summer steelhead of the season. More than 1,000 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as of April 16. Spin cast with lures or swing large streamer flies through the pools.
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.
Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. Bait is allowed between April 22 and October 31. Last updated 04/20/26.
Apr 23
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (NORTH FORK): Steelhead, trout, Chinook, coho
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 2,400cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run has begun with a few fish already having arrived in the basin, along with the first summer steelhead of the season. More than 1,000 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as of April 16. Spin cast with lures or swing large streamer flies through the pools.
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.
Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. Bait is allowed between April 22 and October 31. Last updated 04/20/26.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 2,400cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run has begun with a few fish already having arrived in the basin, along with the first summer steelhead of the season. More than 1,000 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as of April 16. Spin cast with lures or swing large streamer flies through the pools.
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.
Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. Bait is allowed between April 22 and October 31. Last updated 04/20/26.
Apr 16
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (NORTH FORK): Steelhead, trout, Chinook, coho
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 2,400cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run has begun with a few fish already having arrived in the basin, along with the first summer steelhead of the season. More than 800 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as of April 10. Spin cast with lures or swing large streamer flies through the pools.
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.
Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round, but the use of bait is not allowed between Nov. 1 and April 21 to protect wild winter steelhead. Last updated 04/13/26.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 2,400cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run has begun with a few fish already having arrived in the basin, along with the first summer steelhead of the season. More than 800 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as of April 10. Spin cast with lures or swing large streamer flies through the pools.
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.
Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round, but the use of bait is not allowed between Nov. 1 and April 21 to protect wild winter steelhead. Last updated 04/13/26.
Apr 16
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (NORTH FORK): Steelhead, trout, Chinook, coho
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 2,400cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run has begun with a few fish already having arrived in the basin, along with the first summer steelhead of the season. More than 800 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as of April 10. Spin cast with lures or swing large streamer flies through the pools.
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.
Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round, but the use of bait is not allowed between Nov. 1 and April 21 to protect wild winter steelhead. Last updated 04/13/26.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 2,400cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run has begun with a few fish already having arrived in the basin, along with the first summer steelhead of the season. More than 800 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as of April 10. Spin cast with lures or swing large streamer flies through the pools.
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.
Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round, but the use of bait is not allowed between Nov. 1 and April 21 to protect wild winter steelhead. Last updated 04/13/26.
Apr 09
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (SOUTH FORK): Bass, trout, steelhead
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 2,900cfs at the gage in Waterloo. 2026 runs of Chinook and summer steelhead have started to trickle in, but it will be several more weeks before they arrive in numbers in the basin. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round, but the use of bait is not allowed between Nov.1 and April 21 to protect winter steelhead. Last updated 04/07/26.
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 2,900cfs at the gage in Waterloo. 2026 runs of Chinook and summer steelhead have started to trickle in, but it will be several more weeks before they arrive in numbers in the basin. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round, but the use of bait is not allowed between Nov.1 and April 21 to protect winter steelhead. Last updated 04/07/26.