Santiam River
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Recent Guide Reports
Jun 04
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 1,330 cfs at the gage in Mehama though there has been some fluctuation in river levels. The chinook are pouring in now with several hundred crossing Willamette Falls each day. As of May 28, they have counted more than 21,000 adults, of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 3,400 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as well. 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 06/01/26.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 1,330 cfs at the gage in Mehama though there has been some fluctuation in river levels. The chinook are pouring in now with several hundred crossing Willamette Falls each day. As of May 28, they have counted more than 21,000 adults, of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 3,400 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as well. 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 06/01/26.
Jun 04
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 1,330 cfs at the gage in Mehama though there has been some fluctuation in river levels. The chinook are pouring in now with several hundred crossing Willamette Falls each day. As of May 28, they have counted more than 21,000 adults, of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 3,400 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as well. 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 06/01/26.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 1,330 cfs at the gage in Mehama though there has been some fluctuation in river levels. The chinook are pouring in now with several hundred crossing Willamette Falls each day. As of May 28, they have counted more than 21,000 adults, of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 3,400 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as well. 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 06/01/26.
May 28
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (SOUTH FORK): Bass, trout, steelhead
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 1,440 cfs at the gage in Waterloo. The 2026 run of Chinook is arriving in good numbers now and can be found throughout the basin, with more arriving every day. Summer steelhead numbers are a bit disappointing this year, with only about 3,400 coming over Willamette Falls so far. BUt more are coming every day and they can be found throughout the river basin. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Last updated 05/27/26.
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 1,440 cfs at the gage in Waterloo. The 2026 run of Chinook is arriving in good numbers now and can be found throughout the basin, with more arriving every day. Summer steelhead numbers are a bit disappointing this year, with only about 3,400 coming over Willamette Falls so far. BUt more are coming every day and they can be found throughout the river basin. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Last updated 05/27/26.
May 28
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 1,380 cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook are pouring in at the moment with several hundred crossing the falls each day. As of May 23, they have counted more than 19,000 adults, of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 3,400 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as well. 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 05/27/26.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 1,380 cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook are pouring in at the moment with several hundred crossing the falls each day. As of May 23, they have counted more than 19,000 adults, of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 3,400 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as well. 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 05/27/26.
May 28
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 1,380 cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook are pouring in at the moment with several hundred crossing the falls each day. As of May 23, they have counted more than 19,000 adults, of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 3,400 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as well. 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 05/27/26.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 1,380 cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook are pouring in at the moment with several hundred crossing the falls each day. As of May 23, they have counted more than 19,000 adults, of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 3,400 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as well. 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 05/27/26.
May 20
Oregon DWR
SANTIAM RIVER (SOUTH FORK): Bass, trout, steelhead
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 2,300cfs at the gage in Waterloo. 2026 runs of Chinook and summer steelhead are arriving in good numbers now and can be found throughout the basin, with more arriving every day. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Last updated 05/04/26.
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 2,300cfs at the gage in Waterloo. 2026 runs of Chinook and summer steelhead are arriving in good numbers now and can be found throughout the basin, with more arriving every day. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Last updated 05/04/26.