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 2,500 cfs at the gage in Mehama. Water clarity is good. These conditions are likely to change based on the expected rain forecasted for this week. 

Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round but the run numbers were disappointingly low this year. Anglers can still do catch-and-release for trout through Oct.31, as well as keep up to five hatchery trout if any dropped down from the reservoirs above.

The coho salmon run this year appears to be shaping up well. About 23,000 have been counted at Willamette Falls so far crossing into the upper basin with more to come. About 450 adult fish have already arrived at the Bennett dam fish counting station in Stayton. Anglers are allowed to keep two fish per day. Although the entire river below Big Cliff dam is open, these fish tend to concentrate below Mehama. For bank anglers, best bets to intercept these fish are at I-5 rest stop, Jefferson, Buell Miller County Park and Stayton Riverfront Park.