Steelhead fishing should pick up throughout the winter on the Wallowa River as fish move up from the Grande Ronde River. There are lots of bank fishing opportunities from the mouth of the Grande Ronde River upstream to Rock Creek. Anglers can be successful with a variety of steelhead techniques, but bait and jigs are some of the most popular methods. Fishing in the winter can be difficult during periods when daytime temperatures stay at or below freezing.‌

Anglers can also fish for trout and whitefish on the Wallowa River. Drifting small nymph patterns can be a good way to catch trout and whitefish on the Wallowa River.