Summer steelhead are in the Wilson River with fish getting caught daily in small numbers. Fish are throughout the fishery (up to the South Fork). There is plenty of public access off Highway 6. The river is low and clear so targeting first light and using stealthy tactics will up the odds of success. Lures, beads, and jigs are all proven techniques.

There are cutthroat trout throughout the Wilson River, and sea-run cutthroat are in tidewater and entering the lower river.

Fall Chinook season opened August 1, but there won't be any fall fish showing up in the river for a while 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 the permanent regulations (up to 5/day). See the regulation updates online at: Fall coastal salmon management for more details.

Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.