Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 1,500 cfs at the gage in Waterloo. The 2026 Chinook run is arriving in good numbers now and can be found throughout the basin, with more arriving every day. The summer steelhead run is below average this year, but still worth pursuing . About 6,000 adults have been counting at Willamette Falls so far. More are coming every day, and they can be found throughout the river basin. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October.