Summer steelhead are in the Wilson River. Many anglers switch to salmon fishing in the fall but September and October can be a great time to target summer steelhead. The cooler water temperatures and fall rains can get these fish more active and willing to bite. Even though they have been in the river for a few months they aren't going to spawn until winter so many of them are still good table fair. Fish are throughout the fishery (up to the South Fork) and the upper river seems to have the best numbers. There is plenty of public access off Highway 6. Lures, beads, and jigs are all proven techniques.

There are cutthroat trout (including sea-runs) throughout the Wilson River.

Fall Chinook season opened August 1 and there may be some moving into tidewater but probably still won't be much upstream. 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.