There are cutthroat trout throughout Kilchis and plenty of public access off Kilchis Forest Road. Sea-run cutthroat have been in tidewater and should be dispersing upriver now.

Fall Chinook season opened August 1st but there won't be fish moving into the river for a few weeks yet. The wild Chinook bag limit is one adult per day/five for the season from August 1 to November 30, as part of the overall daily bag limit (in aggregate with Tillamook Bay, Miami R, Kilchis R, Wilson R, Trask R, and Tillamook R). Wild Chinook jacks may be retained as per permanent regulations (up to 5/day). See the regulation updates online at Fall coastal salmon management for more details