Winter steelhead fishing is slow

Smith River - Reedsport, OR (Douglas County)


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
1-28-2026
Website

Winter steelhead fishing is slow. Until we receive some rain to raise water levels one will need to move from hole to hole to find the fish. Be willing to try different angling gear and technics to increase your odds of hooking up a steelhead. There is good access for angling since the Smith River Road follows the mainstem for most of the time.





OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Tuesday, January 27th

EE Wilson Angling Pond: Will be stocked this week
Foster Reservoir: The reservoir elevation has dropped down to its winter low-water level
Quartzville Creek: Currently flows are around 190 cfs
Santiam River ( North Fork) : The river is currently running at around 1,900 cfs at the gage in Mahama
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: Currently, flows are around 600 cfs
Santiam River (South Fork): Flows are currently at around 1,500 cfs at the gage in Waterloo
Walter Wirth Lake: Will be stocked this week
Waverly Lake: Stocked last week