Many public access points along the river are still closed

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us

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 3,150 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. Trout season has ended for the year and will start back up again on May 22.

The coho salmon run this year is 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.

NOTICE: Fishermen’s Bend, Niagara County Park and Minto County Park are still closed due to wildfire damage. There are also sporadic traffic delays due to road repair and hazard tree removal along Hwy 22.

WARNING: There are several large downed trees in the river creating some dangerous hazards for boaters. For more information check out the Oregon State Marine Board website.

More Reports


OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Friday, November 12th, 2021
: Wounded elk left to suffer marks ongoing poaching problem
: November is all about elk in Oregon
Applegate Reservoir: Appplegate Reservoir Fishing Report
Applegate River: The river is open to trout fishing through the end of the year
Ben Irving Reservoir: No recent reports from Ben Irving
Emigrant Reservoir: Nothing has changed much at Emigrant except surface temperatures
Expo Pond: Expo Pong Fishing Report
Fish Lake : The current lake level is 25 percent full and the lake is filling up
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Emergency regulations are no longer in effect at Howard Prairie
Hyatt Lake: Emergency regulations have been lifted at Hyatt Lake
Lake Selmac: Bass fishing should remain fair to good out here through the fall and winter months
Lemolo Lake: The reservoir has been drawn down for the season and is quite low
Lost Creek Lake:  Trout fishing should be good
Plat I Reservoir: Temps are cooling, but the bass should still be biting
Rogue River - Middle: Bait can again be used in the entire Rogue from the mouth upstream to Fishers Ferry
Rogue River- Upper: Anglers are catching summer steelhead regularly
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): Winter weather is starting to take hold in the upper river
Smith River: The Smith is open for Chinook fishing up the head of tide at Spencer Cr.
Willow Lake: The reservoir is starting to fill and is 42 percent full
Alsea River: Fall Chinook fishing has slowed down on the Alsea
Necanicum River: No reports of early winter steelhead yet
Nestucca River: Fishing conditions will be very poor with forecasted rains this week
Salmon River: Fall Chinook fishing has slowed down on the Salmon River
Siltcoos Lake: Fishing has picked up with the recent rain
Trask River: There are Chinook throughout the fishery at this point
Wilson River: The Wilson is known for later fall Chinook
Clackamas River: Coho fishing has been slow on the Clackamas
Detroit Reservoir: Detroit Reservoir Fishing Report
Junction City Pond: The pond was recently stocked
Sandy River: Coho fishing has been good as of late, and fishing pressure has been light
Santiam River (South Fork): The run this year is disappointing
Walling Pond: Recently Stocked
Walla Walla River: Walla Walla River Update
Umatilla River: Very poor Steelhead predicated returns
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, November 11th, 2021


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