Fishing For Hatchery Steelhead is Open Year-Round

Santiam River ( North Fork) - Stayton, OR


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
5-26-2021
Website

Some access sites on the North Santiam above and below Detroit Reservoir were impacted by last fall’s wildfire. Some of the more popular sites such as Packsaddle Park and Fishermen’s Bend are still closed until crews can remove hazard trees. Anglers can still access the river from Stayton downstream and in a few places above such as the Mehama bridge and North Santiam State Park.  

No recent fishing reports. River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at 2,000 cfs at the gage in Mehama. Water clarity is good.  

Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. A few hundred early summer steelhead have arrived in the upper Willamette and will be making their way into tributaries, including the North Santiam, over the next few weeks. A handful have already reached the Stayton area. Overall, however, this is shaping up to be a disappointing year for summer steelhead. 

Spring Chinook numbers at Willamette Falls have recently surged, indicating the beginning of the main run. Over 14,000 fish have crossed Willamette Falls on their way to tributaries upstream, including the Santiam basin. It takes on average about two weeks for a fish to swim from Willamette Falls to the North Santiam. About 650 fish have reached the Stayton area but the bulk of the run is still downstream. Forecasts are for a run year about the same as last year or perhaps a bit higher.

Anglers should be aware that trout harvest is now closed and will not re-open until May 22.





More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, May 26th, 2021
Columbia River: States set additional Columbia River spring Chinook fishing days
Campbell Reservoir: Crappie Fishing is Picking Up
Fourmile Lake: Will Be Stocked This Year
Gerber Reservoir: Water Temps Are Increasing Fast
Applegate Reservoir: Applegate Reservoir Report
Ben Irving Reservoir: Stocked For A Second Time This Spring
Cooper Creek Reservoir: Bas Fishing Has Been Good
Coos River: Coos River Basin Report
Coquille River: Coquille River Basin Report
Diamond Lake: Bite Should Pick Back up as Weather Improves
Eel Lake: Trout Fishing Continues to Be Good
Emigrant Reservoir: Bass Fishing Has Picked Up
Fish Lake : Fishing Has Been Very Good
Galesville Reservoir: Shaping Up For Another Great Season
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Low Reservoir Levels
Illinois River: Open For Trout Fishing Again
Lake Selmac: Fishing Should Be Good
Lost Creek Lake: Fishing Has Been Good
Rogue River - Middle: Middle Rogue River Report
Rogue River- Upper: Upper Rogue River Report
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): First Stocking Last Week
Smith River: A Few Stripers Are Beng Caught
Umpqua River: Umpqua River Report
Willow Lake: Nearly At Capacity
Alsea River: Trout Fishing in Streams Opened on May 22
Nestucca River: Spring Chinook Fishing Picked Up Some on The Nestucca
Salmon River: Trout Fishing in Streams Opened on May 22
Siltcoos Lake: Sunny Weather and Warm Temperatures Are Increasing the Warmwater Fish Activity
Siuslaw River: Trout Fishing in Streams Opened on May 22
Trask River: The Trask Picked Up a Little For Springers This Week
Wilson River: Fishing on The Wilson has Been Slow
Yaquina River: Trout Fishing in Streams on the Yaquina/Big Elk Opened on May 22
Detroit Reservoir: The Lake Has Been Stocked Several Times in Recent Weeks With One-Pound Hatchery Trout
EE Wilson Angling Pond: Will Be Stocked Again This Week With About 1,200 Hatchery Trout
Fern Ridge Reservoir: Water Levels Have Slowly Begun to Rise Now That Spring Has Arrived
Foster Reservoir: The Reservoir Will Be Stocked This Week With About 2,700 Trout
Green Peter Reservoir: Will Be Stocked Again This Week With 1,400 Trout
Junction City Pond: This Pond Will Be Stocked Again This Week With About 1,200 Hatchery Trout
Olallie Lake: Olallie Will Remain Closed For The Foreseeable Future
Quartzville Creek: Will Be Stocked Again This Week