Fishing for spring Chinook is now closed


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
9-27-2023
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No recent fishing reports. River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at around 1,600 cfs at the gauge in Mehama. These flows should be consistent until the fall rains. ‌

Fishing for spring Chinook is now closed. Anglers may see spawning or spawned out salmon in the river. Please give these fish enough distance to complete their life cycle. Don't let dogs to eat or chew on salmon carcasses as these contain a toxin that can be lethal to dogs. ‌

The only legal harvest right now is summer steelhead, but this run is very poor this year. Only about 1,000 fish have migrated above Willamette Falls this year up to now, with very few additional fish expected. ‌

Next up will be the short but intense coho salmon run. Counts at Willamette Falls show the beginnings of a very good run year with over 14,000 fish having already crossed into the upper Willamette basin. A good proportion of these fish are destined for the North Santiam. Peak time to target these fish are in early October. ‌

Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. Any unclipped (wild) steelhead or trout that are caught must be released unharmed.







9-22-2023
Keep dogs away from salmon carcasses‌ Whether it's spawned out salmon or dead fish placed for stream enrichment, letting your dog...... Read More