River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000cfs, and the river is currently running at 1,330 cfs at the gage in Mehama though there has been some fluctuation in river levels. The chinook are pouring in now with several hundred crossing Willamette Falls each day. As of May 28, they have counted more than 21,000 adults, of which a good portion are headed for the Santiam basin. About 3,400 adult summer steelhead have migrated above the falls as well. Spin cast with lures or swing large streamer flies through the pools.

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.