River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at around 5,100 cfs at the gauge in Mehama. ‌

Fishing is slow this time of year. While the winter steelhead run is looking strong this year these fish are ESA-listed, and avoiding targeting them is best for the fish population. Any of these unclipped (wild) steelhead or trout that are caught must be released unharmed. Also, remember that bait is not allowed until April 22. The chinook fishery usually begins in late April. A few hundred summer steelhead have already showed up at the fish ladder at Willamette Falls, hopefully the harbingers of many more to come. The first few spring Chinook have also navigated above the falls.