Winter steelhead fishing on the Wilson picked up a little last week and was fair. Conditions are going to be low and clear this week. Stealthy tactics, light line and subtle terminal presentations can increase the odds of success is these conditions. Low water is also a good time to use lures that entice a territorial bite. Lastly, concentrate on deep pools and choppy water that provide cover. There are hatchery and wild steelhead (catch and release only for wilds) throughout the system.

The Wilson River is one of the North Coast most popular winter steelhead rivers and gets one of our largest hatchery releases. Hatchery winter steelhead on the Wilson are from wild broodstock; as such they tend to mimic wild steelhead timing and there are hatchery steelhead available December through early April. The Wilson has several good drift boat stretches and some good bank access along Hwy 6.

Cutthroat trout fishing in streams will reopen May 22, 2023.

Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.