Santiam River ( North Fork) - North Fork Santiam River Fishing Report

North Fork Santiam River Fishing Report

Santiam River ( North Fork) - Stayton, OR

by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
1-3-2024
Website

River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at around 3,800 cfs at the gauge in Mehama. ‌

This time of year is slow for fishing as there is not much currently in the river worth targeting. There are a few summer steelhead around, primarily in the upper portion of the river below Packsaddle, but the run this year was very poor. And with the usual high flows this time of year catching one is extremely unlikely. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. Any unclipped (wild) steelhead or trout that are caught must be released unharmed. The chinook fishery usually begins in April.

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. ‌

More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports

for Wednesday, January 3rd

: Sturgeon retention closed in Bonneville, The Dalles pools after Jan. 3
Grande Ronde River: Grande Ronde River Report
Wallowa Lake : Wallowa Lake Report
Wallowa River: Steelhead fishing should pick up throughout the winter on the Wallowa River
Crooked River: The Crooked continues to fish well this winter
Hood River: Winter steelhead are starting to show up in the Hood River
Detroit Reservoir: Water is again being released out of Detroit to maximize storage for the winter
Foster Reservoir: Currently the reservoir water looks unusually turbid
Santiam River (South Fork): Currently flows are around 1,300 cfs at the Waterloo gauge as of Jan. 3
Walter Wirth Lake: Walter Wirth Lake Report
Kilchis River: There should be a few winter steelhead showing up in the Kilchis
Miami River: Access is limited on the Miami
Necanicum River: The Necanicum River should have hatchery steelhead throughout the fishery and wild fish showing up this month as well
Nehalem River: The only opportunity on the mainstem Nehalem will be wild winter steelhead
Nehalem River- North Fork: The North Fork Nehalem has hatchery steelhead throughout the fishery
Nestucca River: The best fishing will likely still be in the lower mainstem
Three Rivers: Three Rivers should have hatchery steelhead showing up
Trask River: There are fish in the Trask and more should be showing up as the winter progresses
Wilson River: Fishing on the Wilson should just keep improving as the season goes on
Ben Irving Reservoir: No recent reports from Ben Irving
Chetco River: River conditions have been excellent
Coos River: Steelhead fishing has been good in the Coos Basin rivers
Coquille River: Steelhead anglers have been catching hatchery winter steelhead
Diamond Lake: Some near shore ice may be present on some days
Lake Marie: Still no recent reports from anglers at Lake Marie
Lemolo Lake: No recent reports and snow may limit access
Plat I Reservoir: Conditions remain the same at Plat I
Rogue River- Lower: Very few boat anglers, but bank fishing pressure has picked up
Sixes River: Anglers are reminded that anglers fishing for steelhead in the Sixes are required to have the new wild steelhead validations
Umpqua River: Some winter steelhead have been being caught from Elkton to River Forks
North Umpqua River: Some steelhead have been spotted moving up the North Umpqua
South Umpqua River : Winter steelhead have started moving into the South Umpqua
Ana Reservoir: This reservoir does not ice over in winter and is a good place to catch rainbow trout and hybrid bass
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir is likely starting to freeze
John C Boyle Reservoir: Large goldfish up 12 inches are also abundant but rarely caught
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Klamath River Fishing Report
Lake Of The Woods: The lake is ice free but is starting to freeze
Phillips Reservoir: If colder weather returns, the ice may begin to thicken
Pilcher Reservoir: Ice conditions may not be suitable for fishing because of the mild weather this winter
Thief Valley Reservoir: Thief Valley Reservoir currently is about 75 percent full and should slowly fill through the winter
Unity Reservoir: Recently, folks have had some good fishing from the bank at Unity Reservoir
McCloud River: There has been some good midge and Blue Wing Olive hatches

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