North Santiam River

Boat Ramps: 14
Access Points: 25
Species: 13

The North Santiam River in Oregon is a diverse and productive waterway that flows from the high Cascades near Three Fingered Jack through scenic canyons and valley terrain before joining the South Santiam to form the Santiam River. This system offers anglers a variety of fishing opportunities throughout the year, with the river divided naturally by Detroit and Big Cliff dams into distinct upper and lower sections. From pristine mountain headwaters to broader valley flows, the North Santiam provides habitat for multiple species of trout, salmon, and steelhead, making it a favored destination for Oregon anglers seeking both wild and hatchery fish.

Oregon licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at North Santiam River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Brown Bullhead

Ameiurus nebulosus

Bull Trout

Salvelinus confluentus

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Coho Salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Mountain Whitefish

Prosopium williamsoni

Northern Pikeminnow

Ptychocheilus oregonensis

Sockeye Salmon

Oncorhynchus nerka

Steelhead

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on North Santiam River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on North Santiam River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Oregon licenses and regulations

Oregon Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

Learn more

Oregon Fishing License

An Oregon fishing license is required for residents and non-residents, age 12 and over. You must carry your fishing license at all times while fishing in the State. Make sure you have the correct tags, catch cards and endorsements for the water bodies and species you are targeting.

Learn more

Oregon Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. This river is prone to emergency regulations. Stay up to date on specific river regulation changes. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

Learn more

Oregon Stream Access Laws

The people of Oregon are the owners of the submerged and submersible land (“beds and banks”) underlying all navigable and tidally influenced waterways. In most cases, this ownership extends to the line of ordinary high water or high tide, but ownership can be mixed, even along the same waterway. The Department of State Lands is responsible for management of publicly owned submerged and submersible land. The public has rights to use the beds and banks of navigable waterways for any legal activity, such as boating, fishing and swimming, including pulling your canoe or kayak onto the bank.

Learn more

Take North Santiam River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around North Santiam River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for North Santiam River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

Get the onWater Fish app

Free on iOS and Android