Oregon
Santiam River fishing guide
This Oregon river system supports Chinook Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill. Anglers can access the Santiam River at several named points including Santiam Rest Area (Old Ramp), Santiam Rest Area, Buell Miller, Greens Bridge, and Jefferson Ramp, though public bank access is limited away from these established sites.
Current conditions
As of September 1, 2026, Santiam River is running around 1,470 cfs. The nearest streamgage reports flow but not water temperature, so no temp is shown. Conditions look good for fishing right now.
- State
- Oregon
- Public access
- Yes
- Access points
- 8
- Species recorded
- 9
These conditions are read from our data about once a day and may not reflect the current moment. For real-time conditions, open Guidepole Fish.
Public access & launches
Public bank access at several points along the Santiam River, computed from public land ownership and hydrography.
- Santiam Rest Area (Old Ramp)Oregon Travel Experience (OTE)Boat access
- Santiam Rest AreaOregon Travel Experience (OTE)Boat access
- Buell MillerLinn CountyBoat access
- Greens BridgeOregon Department of Fish and WildlifeBoat access
- Jefferson RampCity of JeffersonBoat access
- Lyons-Mehama LaunchLinn CountyBoat access
- Stayton BridgeLinn CountyBoat access
- Upper Bennett Dam SlideSantiam Water Control DistrictBoat access
Regulations
- Willamette Zone
Open all year for hatchery steelhead. Open for wild steelhead Jul 1 - Aug 31. Open for coho salmon Jan 1 - Aug 31 and Oct 15 - Dec 31.
- Willamette Zone
Open for hatchery trout May 22 – Oct 31, 5 hatchery trout per day, no minimum length. Open all year for hatchery steelhead and coho salmon. Open for wild steelhead Jul 1 - Aug 31. Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Jan 1 - Aug 31 and Oct 15 - Dec 31. Use of bait allowed Apr 22 - Oct 31.
- Willamette Zone
The following apply to open sections from mouth to Big Cliff Dam: * Open for hatchery trout May 22 – Oct 31, 5 hatchery trout per day, no minimum length. Open all year for hatchery steelhead. Open for wild steelhead Jul 1 - Aug 31. Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Jan 1 - Aug 31 and Oct 15 - Dec 31. * Mouth to Stayton-Scio Bridge Open all year for coho salmon. Use of bait allowed Apr 22 - Oct 31. * Stayton-Scio Bridge to ODFW markers at Packsaddle Park Open for coho salmon Jan 1 - Aug 31 and Oct 15 - Dec 31. Use of bait allowed Apr 22 - Oct 31. Closed from the ODFW markers (between the foot bridge and the 1st Ave Bridge in Mill City) up to the falls. Closed within the Stayton power canal. ODFW markers at Packsaddle Park to Minto Dam Closed . * Minto Dam to Big Cliff Dam Closed from Big Cliff Dam downstream 400 ft. North Fork and Tributaries above Big Cliff Dam Open all year. 5 trout per day, 8 inch minimum length. Use of bait allowed.
- Willamette Zone
The following apply to open sections below: * Open for hatchery trout May 22 – Oct 31, 5 hatchery trout per day, no minimum length. Open all year for hatchery steelhead. Open for wild steelhead Jul 1 - Aug 31. Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Jan 1 - Aug 31 and Oct 15 - Dec 31. Use of bait allowed Apr 22 - Oct 31. * Mouth to Grant St Bridge in Lebanon Open all year for coho salmon. * Grant St Bridge in Lebanon to Waterloo Rd Bridge Open for coho salmon Jan 1 - Aug 31 and Oct 15 - Dec 31. * Waterloo Rd Bridge to 200 ft above Waterloo Falls Open for Coho Jan 1 - Aug 31 and Oct 15 - Dec 31. Gear Restriction: Angling restricted to fly fishing or bobber fishing (See Bobber Fishing Rule ). * 200 ft above Waterloo Falls to Foster Dam Open for coho salmon Jan 1 - Aug 31 and Oct 15 - Dec 31. Closed from Foster Dam downstream approx. 1/4 mi to ODFW markers.
- BassWillamette Zone
- Season
- Lakes: Open all year. Streams: Open during trout, salmon or steelhead seasons, except mainstem Willamette River and sloughs and tidewater areas of Columbia River tributaries downstream from Bonneville Dam are open all year.
- Bag
- Lakes: 5 per day, 3 daily limits in possession unless noted under Exceptions . Streams: No limit.
- Gear
- Angling restricted to artificial flies and lures in streams
No more than 3 over 15 inches in length in lakes. No minimum length in streams. Angling restricted to artificial flies and lures in streams. See Exceptions where use of bait is allowed.
As of 2026-08-28.Guidance, not legal advice — always confirm current rules with the state.Official Oregon regulations
What’s in it
Recorded in/near this water. Occurrence-based unless a higher-confidence source is shown — see it per-species in the app.
More Oregon fishing
Oregon field notes
Portland, OR
Forest Park Is 5,200 Acres and the Gorge Is 40 Minutes. Here's How to Use Both.
One of the largest urban forest reserves in the United States sits inside the city limits, with a 30-mile trail running its length. Forty minutes east, a river gorge cuts through the Cascades with more waterfalls per mile than anywhere else in the country. Most people use one and ignore the other.
Portland, OR
Urban Fishing in Portland: Salmon in the Willamette, Smallmouth Under the Bridges, and Sturgeon Past the Skyline
Portland is one of the only major cities in America where you can catch salmon and steelhead inside city limits. The Willamette River runs through downtown holding spring Chinook, smallmouth bass, sturgeon, and walleye. The Columbia River forms the northern border. No boat needed for most of it.
Portland, OR
Birding Portland: The Island Where Half the Units Close in October
Portland has a 5,200-acre forest inside the city, one of the largest protected wetlands in any American city, and an agricultural island twenty minutes north where several of the best units close on October 1 and do not reopen until spring. Knowing which is which is the whole trick.
Bridal Veil, OR
The Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop After the Fire: What Grew Back and What Didn't
Five miles, six waterfalls, and 1,600 feet of climbing on the most famous stretch of the Columbia River Gorge, through forest that burned in 2017 and is still visibly recovering. It is the best short hike in Oregon and it now requires a timed permit in season, which almost nobody realizes until they arrive.
Government Camp, OR
The Timberline Trail: 41 Miles Around Mount Hood, and the River Crossing That Stops People
A loop entirely around an 11,000-foot volcano, 41.5 miles with 10,000 feet of climbing, and a free permit you pick up at the trailhead. The permit is the easy part. The hard part is a glacial river with no bridge that has turned back more parties than the elevation ever has.
Bend, OR
South Sister Without a Rope: Oregon's Easiest Big Summit Is Still a Long Day
A 10,363-foot volcano you can walk up, 26 miles from Bend, with a trail the whole way and no technical climbing. That accessibility is exactly why it catches people out: 12.6 miles and nearly 5,000 feet of gain on volcanic cinder is a mountaineering day wearing hiking clothes.
Santiam River fishing — FAQ
Can you fish the Santiam River?
Yes — the Santiam River in Oregon has public access (public bank access at several points). Open the guide to see the public access, launches, and current regulations.
Do you need a license to fish the Santiam River?
Yes — Oregon requires a valid fishing license for most fishing. The current official state regulations are linked on this page.
What fish are in the Santiam River?
Species recorded in the Santiam River include Bluegill, Mountain Whitefish, Chinook Salmon, Northern Pikeminnow, Steelhead. The full list is on this page.
Where can you access the Santiam River?
Access points include Santiam Rest Area (Old Ramp), Santiam Rest Area, Buell Miller. See every launch and access site on this page.
Get detailed fishing conditions for the Santiam River on your phone
The full access map, live conditions, and an agent you can just ask — on your iPhone.
Get Guidepole Fish