Trout and whitefish can be caught on a variety of baits, lures, and flies. Casting flies like wooly buggers and nymphs to pockets of slower moving water near shore can be good ways to catch fish on the Wallowa River. More aquatic insects will emerge as spring progresses. Fishing dry flies or nymphs under a bobber can be very productive this time of year. If flows are up casting near shore or toward pockets of slower moving water will be most successful.

Steelhead have largely completed migrating through the Wallowa River. Although steelhead fishing is open through the end of April, there are few fish available.