The Wallowa River will continue to be good for trout and whitefish throughout the winter as long as it’s ice free. Smaller flies and lures will be best as smaller food is what’s available during winter months. Mayflies and midges will make up a large portion of a trout diet. Recent reports indicate rainbow trout up to 18 inches have been normal.

Angler reports of catching steelhead in the Wallowa River above Minam are becoming more frequent.  As winter progresses into spring, expect catch rates to continue to inmprove through the close or the season or when snow melt puts conditions off.  The bag for steelhead is 2 hatchery fish per day through the end of the season to ensure enough fish arrive at hatchery facilities to meet production goals.