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 Mahama. Both the summer steelhead and spring chinook runs are in full swing. About 4,100 summer steelhead have passed above Willamette Falls as of June 29. Hundreds of adult spring chinook are navigating the ladder at Willamette Falls every day. Counts at the falls are about 2,000 adults so far. Many of these fish have already arrived in the North Santiam basin with more arriving every day. 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.