Many public access points along the river are still closed from recent wildfires, including Fisherman’s Bend, and all recreation areas along the Little North Fork. But Packsaddle Park has 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 unseasonably high for this time of year at around 10,500 cfs at the gauge in Mehama. This is way too high for fishing, but river conditions are expected to improve by the weekend. 

Chinook salmon returns have really taken off over the last couple of weeks with several days of over 1,000 fish being counted. Total count of adult Chinook is at 17,000 as of June 7. Summer steelhead counts are improving as well with the count now up to 2,500 fish.  Most of these fish destined for the North Santiam have not yet arrived in the basin.

Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. Trout season opened on May 22, which means that anglers may keep up to five clipped trout per day. Bait is now allowed until Oct. 31. Any unclipped (wild) steelhead or trout that are caught must be released unharmed.