Many public access points along the river are still closed from last year’s wildfires, including Fisherman’s Bend, and all recreation areas along the Little North Fork. But Packsaddle Park has recently re-opened, which is just below Minto Dam. 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 2,100 cfs at the gage in Mehama. Water clarity is good. The river is in pretty good shape for this time of year, but unfortunately there are very few fish to target at the moment.

Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round but the run numbers were disappointingly low this year. Trout season has ended for the year and will start back up again on May 22.

For the next few months things are going to be fairly quiet as far as fishing on the river goes. There are still a few summer steelhead around, but the next run of spring chinook and summer steelhead won’t arrive until late April/early May. Anglers should be aware, however, that bait is no longer allowed after Oct. 31 and until April 22