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 gage in Mehama. Fishing for spring chinook is now closed. The summer steelhead run is also complete for the most part, although fishing continues into October. About 4,850 summer steelhead have passed above Willamette Falls as of Aug 28. A bobber and jig set-up or drifting a cluster of salmon eggs is the usual technique, but flies and spinning lures will work as well, depending on flow conditions.

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 steelhead is open year-round, but the use of bait is not allowed between Nov. 1 and April 21.