My dad and I have access to property on the south santiam for duck hunting. There is some good water for steelhead/salmon fishing right where we hunt. When is a good time of year to fish for either salmon or steelhead? Fin clipped only? Thanks and Merry Christmas
For winter steelhead-Dec-Feb. Salmon should be in the fall and summer steelhead May-Sept generally. I fished it years ago when a contracting gypsy. Good luck.
I'd say Summer Steelhead would start late April and Spring Chinook would be May and June. I don't believe there is much of a Winter Steelhead run and no Fall Chinook although there might be some Silvers in the early fall. Google Foster Dam fish counts or South Santiam fish counts and you'll get an idea of peak times.