River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at around 2,000 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 good fishing continues into October. 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. Over 16,000 coho salmon have migrated above Willamette Falls so far, a good proportion of them destined for the North Santiam. Most of the action is in the lower sections of the river below Stayton.

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.