When the weather warms enough to keep ice from being problematic, anglers can catch both rainbow trout and mountain whitefish in the Wallowa River. Fish with a slow presentation in slow runs where fish can conserve energy. Small nymph and egg patterns may be effective for trout and whitefish, and spinning gear such as spinners or spoons, could be a good option for targeting trout.

Some steelhead anglers have been successful this winter on the Wallowa River, and fishing for hatchery steelhead should improve throughout the next couple months as they make their way up the Wallowa River to Big Canyon and Wallowa Hatcheries.