Santiam River
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Recent Guide Reports
Sep 17
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (SOUTH FORK): Bass, trout, steelhead
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 1,350cfs at the gauge in Waterloo. The Chinook fishery is now closed until Oct. 15. Another small pulse of fish arrived at Willamette Falls and will be working their way upstream over the next few weeks. The summer steelhead run turned out better than average this year. About 9,800 steelhead adults have been counting at Willamette Falls so far with a few more trickling in through September. They can be found throughout the river basin, with most fish concentrated in the upper 8 miles below Foster Dam. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Last updated 9/14/26.
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 1,350cfs at the gauge in Waterloo. The Chinook fishery is now closed until Oct. 15. Another small pulse of fish arrived at Willamette Falls and will be working their way upstream over the next few weeks. The summer steelhead run turned out better than average this year. About 9,800 steelhead adults have been counting at Willamette Falls so far with a few more trickling in through September. They can be found throughout the river basin, with most fish concentrated in the upper 8 miles below Foster Dam. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Last updated 9/14/26.
Sep 17
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 1,670cfs at the gage in Mehama. Fishing for chinook is now closed until mid-October. Fishing for steelhead remains open year-round. We have seen the first large pulse of coho salmon arrive at Willamette Falls. It usually takes about 2 weeks for that pulse to begin to arrive in the Santiam basin. Another strong run is expected this year, and numbers should increase markedly over the next few weeks. A smaller but significant pulse of summer steelhead should also be arriving around the same time. 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 Oct. 31. Last updated 9/14/26.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 1,670cfs at the gage in Mehama. Fishing for chinook is now closed until mid-October. Fishing for steelhead remains open year-round. We have seen the first large pulse of coho salmon arrive at Willamette Falls. It usually takes about 2 weeks for that pulse to begin to arrive in the Santiam basin. Another strong run is expected this year, and numbers should increase markedly over the next few weeks. A smaller but significant pulse of summer steelhead should also be arriving around the same time. 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 Oct. 31. Last updated 9/14/26.
Sep 17
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 1,670cfs at the gage in Mehama. Fishing for chinook is now closed until mid-October. Fishing for steelhead remains open year-round. We have seen the first large pulse of coho salmon arrive at Willamette Falls. It usually takes about 2 weeks for that pulse to begin to arrive in the Santiam basin. Another strong run is expected this year, and numbers should increase markedly over the next few weeks. A smaller but significant pulse of summer steelhead should also be arriving around the same time. 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 Oct. 31. Last updated 9/14/26.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 1,670cfs at the gage in Mehama. Fishing for chinook is now closed until mid-October. Fishing for steelhead remains open year-round. We have seen the first large pulse of coho salmon arrive at Willamette Falls. It usually takes about 2 weeks for that pulse to begin to arrive in the Santiam basin. Another strong run is expected this year, and numbers should increase markedly over the next few weeks. A smaller but significant pulse of summer steelhead should also be arriving around the same time. 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 Oct. 31. Last updated 9/14/26.
Sep 10
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (SOUTH FORK): Bass, trout, steelhead
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 1,520cfs at the gage in Waterloo. The 2026 Chinook run is complete, but it has been fairly strong. Most adults are above Waterloo and are concentrating between Pleasant Valley boat ramp and Wiley Creek. The Chinook fishery is now closed until Oct. 15. The summer steelhead run turned out better than average this year. About 9,400 steelhead adults have been counting at Willamette Falls so far with a few more trickling in through September. They can be found throughout the river basin, with most fish concentrated in the upper 8 miles below Foster Dam. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Last updated 9/9/26.
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 1,520cfs at the gage in Waterloo. The 2026 Chinook run is complete, but it has been fairly strong. Most adults are above Waterloo and are concentrating between Pleasant Valley boat ramp and Wiley Creek. The Chinook fishery is now closed until Oct. 15. The summer steelhead run turned out better than average this year. About 9,400 steelhead adults have been counting at Willamette Falls so far with a few more trickling in through September. They can be found throughout the river basin, with most fish concentrated in the upper 8 miles below Foster Dam. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Last updated 9/9/26.
Sep 03
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (SOUTH FORK): Bass, trout, steelhead
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 850cfs at the gage in Waterloo. The 2026 Chinook run is complete, but it has been fairly strong. Most adults are above Waterloo and are concentrating between Pleasant Valley boat ramp and Wiley Creek. The Chinook fishery is now closed until Oct. 15. The summer steelhead run turned out better than average this year. About 9,400 steelhead adults have been counting at Willamette Falls so far with a few more trickling in through September. They can be found throughout the river basin, with most fish concentrated in the upper 8 miles below Foster Dam. The forecasted rain may increase their feeding activity this weekend. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Last updated 9/1/26.
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 850cfs at the gage in Waterloo. The 2026 Chinook run is complete, but it has been fairly strong. Most adults are above Waterloo and are concentrating between Pleasant Valley boat ramp and Wiley Creek. The Chinook fishery is now closed until Oct. 15. The summer steelhead run turned out better than average this year. About 9,400 steelhead adults have been counting at Willamette Falls so far with a few more trickling in through September. They can be found throughout the river basin, with most fish concentrated in the upper 8 miles below Foster Dam. The forecasted rain may increase their feeding activity this weekend. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Last updated 9/1/26.
Sep 03
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 1100cfs at the gage in Mehama. Fishing for chinook is now closed until mid-October. Fishing for steelhead remains open year-round. At this time only a few coho have migrated above Willamette Falls, however another strong run is expected this year, and numbers should increase markedly over the next few weeks. 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 9/1/26.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 1100cfs at the gage in Mehama. Fishing for chinook is now closed until mid-October. Fishing for steelhead remains open year-round. At this time only a few coho have migrated above Willamette Falls, however another strong run is expected this year, and numbers should increase markedly over the next few weeks. 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 9/1/26.
Sep 03
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 1100cfs at the gage in Mehama. Fishing for chinook is now closed until mid-October. Fishing for steelhead remains open year-round. At this time only a few coho have migrated above Willamette Falls, however another strong run is expected this year, and numbers should increase markedly over the next few weeks. 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 9/1/26.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 1100cfs at the gage in Mehama. Fishing for chinook is now closed until mid-October. Fishing for steelhead remains open year-round. At this time only a few coho have migrated above Willamette Falls, however another strong run is expected this year, and numbers should increase markedly over the next few weeks. 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 9/1/26.