River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 950cfs at the gage in Mehama. The chinook run is mostly completed at this point with most of the fish having arrived in the basin. As of July 30, they have counted over 36,600 adults, of which a good portion are destined for the Santiam basin. About 9,300 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as well. Spin cast with lures or swing large streamer flies through the pools. Fishing for hatchery chinook closes on August 31.

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

Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. Bait is allowed between April 22 and October 31