Some access sites on the North Santiam above and below Detroit Reservoir were impacted by last fall’s wildfire. Some of the more popular sites such as Packsaddle Park and Fishermen’s Bend are still closed until crews can remove hazard trees. 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. 

Beginning this week, the gate at ODFW’s Green’s Bridge property on the lower North Santiam near Jefferson will be locked. Only anglers with boat trailers will be able to park past the gate, and they must first request a key. Anglers can call ODFW’s Corvallis field office at (541) 757-4186 to get an application form.  

No recent fishing reports. River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running slightly below 1,800 cfs at the gage in Mehama. Water clarity is good.  

Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. Around 800 summer steelhead arrived in the upper Willamette in May. So far fewer than 50 have reached the Stayton area indicating that this year’s run is not likely to be strong.  

Spring Chinook numbers at Willamette Falls have also been disappointing so far, reaching just over 16,000 fish as of May 28. Chinook that have crossed the Falls are on their way to tributaries upstream, including the Santiam basin. It takes on average about two weeks for a fish to swim from Willamette Falls to the North Santiam. About 1,300 fish so far have reached the Stayton area. 

Hatchery trout harvest is now open until Oct. 31, with a limit of 5 per day.