River is currently running at around 1,200 cfs

Santiam River ( North Fork) - Stayton, OR


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
9-6-2023
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No recent fishing reports. River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at around 1,200 cfs at the gauge in Mehama. These flows should be consistent until the fall rains. ‌

Fishing for spring Chinook is now closed. Anglers may see spawning or spawned out salmon in the river. Please give these fish enough distance to complete their life cycle. Don't let dogs to eat or chew on salmon carcasses as these contain a toxin that can be lethal to dogs. ‌

The only legal harvest right now is summer steelhead, but this run is very poor this year. Only about 970 fish have migrated above Willamette Falls this year up to now, with very few additional fish expected. ‌

Next up will be the short but intense coho salmon run. The first fish are expected to enter the basin sometime in the next few weeks. Peak time to target these fish are in early October. ‌

Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. Any unclipped (wild) steelhead or trout that are caught must be released unharmed.