‘Hoot Owl’ Fishing Restrictions Lifted On Lower Santiam Forks; Still In Effect Elsewhere On Willamette System

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

Thanks to cooler water temperatures, “hoot owl” restrictions that closed salmon, steelhead and trout fishing at 2 p.m. have been lifted on portions of the North and South Santiam Rivers.

Anglers can now fish after 2 p.m. on the North Santiam below Big Cliff Dam and the South Santiam from the mainstem to Foster Dam.

“The water in these sections of the South Santiam and North Santiam remained relatively cool throughout the recent heat wave,” explains Alex Farrand, ODFW assistant district fish biologist for the south Willamette district. “The upstream dams are releasing cold water from the bottom layers of the reservoir and have maintained good environmental conditions for fish.” 

Rivers and streams outside of the influence of these dams continue to see elevated daytime water temperatures due to drought conditions. So the salmon, steelhead, trout fishing closure (from 2 p.m. until one hour before sunrise) remains in effect in the following rivers in the Willamette Zone:

• Willamette River from Willamette Falls upstream to the mouth of the McKenzie River
• Clackamas River from the mouth upstream to River Mill Dam
• Santiam River:  Mainstem Santiam, Middle Santiam, and Breitenbush rivers
• South Fork Santiam River above Foster Dam and all tributaries of the South Fork Santiam River including Quartzville Creek
• Rickreal Creek, Luckiamute River, Long Tom River, Mary’s River, Tualatin River, Yamhill River, Calapooia River, Clatskanie River, Molalla River, Sandy River and Scappoose River

Lakes and ponds in the Willamette Zone remain open during all usual fishing hours. There are many great fishing opportunities in high lakes, for warmwater fish like, bass, walleye, or crappie, and in lakes and reservoirs stocked with hatchery rainbow trout—though stocking plans may change due to the drought.

Check the Willamette Zone Recreation for the latest on regulations, trout stocking and fishing conditions https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/willamette-zone