Steelhead are moving upstream from winter holding areas in the lower Grande Ronde River and Rondowa. Hatchery facilities at Big Canyon and Wallowa Hatcheries are actively trapping fish. The river is in great condition for fishing, although creel reports indicate variable catch rates. April can be the best time to fish the Wallowa River Canyon upstream of Minam.

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.