Santiam River
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Recent Guide Reports
May 06
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 at the moment 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 at the moment 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.
Apr 30
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 have started to enter the basin with a few having made it all the way to the ladder below Foster Reservoir. Steelhead and chinook can be found throughout the basin in low numbers, but more are 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 04/28/26.
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 have started to enter the basin with a few having made it all the way to the ladder below Foster Reservoir. Steelhead and chinook can be found throughout the basin in low numbers, but more are 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 04/28/26.
Apr 30
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 1,940cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run has begun with about 2,200 adults migrating above Willamette Falls so far of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 1,500 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as of April 26. 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 1,940cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run has begun with about 2,200 adults migrating above Willamette Falls so far of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 1,500 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as of April 26. 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 30
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 1,940cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run has begun with about 2,200 adults migrating above Willamette Falls so far of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 1,500 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as of April 26. 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 1,940cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run has begun with about 2,200 adults migrating above Willamette Falls so far of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 1,500 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as of April 26. 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.