Fall fishing on the Wallowa River can be very good and anglers have reported catching trout up to 19 inches.

Steelhead season opened on Sept. 1, though fish aren’t expected to be available in catchable numbers until the winter months. Across the Columbia Basin, the steelhead run is very poor, and fishing may be difficult this year. Additionally, some steelhead fisheries may require special regulations to conserve wild fish and ensure broodstock escapement to hatcheries. Anglers are advised to check the ODFW website regularly for updates to fisheries.

Coho may be encountered in this fishery as they make their way to the Lostine River during fall and early winter. Coho may not be harvested in the Wallowa River and must be released unharmed.

With a diverse makeup of fish species that anglers may encounter this year, anglers are encouraged to brush up on their fish identification skills and to release any fish that they are unsure of the species.