Spring Chinook & Summer Steelhead Season to Arrive Soon on Oregon’s McKenzie River

We are currently anxiously awaiting the arrival of our Spring Salmon & Summer Steelhead here on the gorgeuos McKenzie. These hard-fighting migratory fish have begun their migration from the ocean to their natal stream but usually begin to show locally here east of Eugene in May. The peak of the run normally tumbles in between June & July with the exact arrival time often a factor of water temperatures and river flow. Other local alternatives to the McKenize, including the Middle Fork Willamette and the South Santiam, sometimes coax the salmon and steelhead in a week or two earlier than the very cold-running McKenzie. A mild winter combined with moderate spring temperatures has left the McKenzie River running relatively low and clear for this time of year. These conditions have proven advantageous for fly fishermen enoying some excellent catch and release action on native Redside (Rainbow) & Cutthroat Trout this spring on the McKenzie.