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 on the Wallowa River, and hatchery steelhead have now made their way throughout the Wallowa River with a few already making it back to the Wallowa Hatchery in Enterprise. Fishing conditions will be best when flows are lower and fishing may be more difficult when the weather warms and the river rises.