The Wilson gets a run of hatchery summer steelhead. There are fish throughout the fishery (up to South Fork). Reports from the Wilson have been scarce, but given the recent improved fishing on other basins, I would expect the same for the Wilson. The upper river below the South Fork will probably hold the best numbers of fish this time of year. For summer steelhead, fish early in the morning and cover lots of water including deep holes, pocket water, and drifts with some chop to them. Light line, subtle terminal presentations like beads, jigs, or small natural baits and hardware like spinners and spoons should all produce fish. There are no spring Chinook releases on the Wilson.

The Wilson tends to be a little slower for coastal cutthroat trout than some of the neighboring basins, but there are resident trout throughout the fishery and lots of public access off Hwy 6. Sea-run cutthroat should be showing up in the river as well.