Hoot Owl regulations have been rescinded below Big Cliff dam

Santiam River ( North Fork) - Stayton, OR


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
9-1-2021
Website

“Hoot owl” regulations have been rescinded below Big Cliff dam. That means fishing is again open all day for the entire river as far as the mainstem Santiam River near Jefferson.  Tributaries such as Little North Fork still have “hoot owl” restrictions in place. 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. 

The gate at ODFW’s Green’s Bridge property on the lower North Santiam near Jefferson has been 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. The gate will be re-opened in September.

No recent fishing reports. River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at 1,160 cfs at the gage in Mehama. Water clarity is good.  

Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. Around 1,400 summer steelhead have arrived in the upper Willamette as of July 1. So far fewer than 60 have reached the Stayton area indicating that this year’s run is not likely to be strong.  

Fishing for Chinook is closed as of Sept. 1 to allow them to spawn undisturbed. If you see fish paired up or actively digging in the gravel to build their nests, please give them a wide berth to avoid stressing them unnecessarily. There are a few summer steelhead around and they are available year-round. The first handful of coho have arrived at Willamette Falls but it will be several weeks before they have arrived in numbers in the basin.  

Hatchery trout harvest is now open until Oct. 31, with a limit of 5 per day. Wild trout need to be released unharmed.




More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

Upper Klamath Lake: Redband trout are starting to move back into the main part
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Fishing can be excellent this time of year if flows are fishable
Lake Of The Woods: Fishing will be slow for trout as most stocked rainbow trout will move to deeper water
Miller Lake: Fishing is excellent as the lake has been heavily stocked
Sprague River: Sprague River Fishing Report
Williamson River: Williamson River Fishing Report
Wood River: One of the best bets for fishing right now
Chetco River: Water levels are low
Elk River: Fall season rule changes for Chinook are now in place
Expo Pond: Warmwater fishing continues at Exp
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Emergency Regulations are still in effect
Hyatt Lake: Emergency Regulations still in effect
Lost Creek Lake: Trout fishing should still be good
Rogue River- Lower: The Rogue Bay has been busy with anglers
Rogue River - Middle: ODFW has lifted the 2 p.m. fishing closure between Lobster and Hog creeks
Rogue River- Upper: Upper Rogue River Report
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): Flows above Prospect seem to have leveled of
Sixes River: Anglers should be able to find sea-run cutthroat in most pools
Willow Lake: Water levels have started to drop significantly
Miami River: Cutthroat trout fishing in the Miami should start to improve
Nehalem River: Chinook fishing picked back up the past week
Nestucca River: The Nestucca has a hatchery summer steelhead run
Trask River: Anglers will find sea-run cutthroat trout throughout the Trask
Wilson River: Cutthroat trout fishing is open in the Wilson River as well
Clear Lake: Stocked Recently
Green Peter Reservoir: The water level in the reservoir continues to drop
Leaburg Lake: Stocked Recently
McKenzie River: Boat Ramp Update on The McKenzie
Salmon Creek: Recently Stocked