The best-known still water fishing area, however, is Wallowa Lake, which also happens to be the county's main visitor draw. Situated some six miles south of Joseph, the lake's recreation area features a state park with ample camping facilities, vendors who sell bait and other fishing needs, and a marina where a boat can be rented at reasonable cost. Trout are abundant in Wallowa Lake, and, in season, kokanee are there for the taking. Kokanee fishing is best from late May or early June on. The Wallowa, Grande Ronde, Minam, Imnaha, Lostine and Snake rivers and their tributaries pass through gorgeous canyons and peaceful forests, offering not only the best in fishing but eye-popping scenery as well.
Many anglers combine fishing with guided or unguided rafting trips along the major waterways.
Trout are plentiful, and can be caught with worms or eggs, spinners or lures or artificial flies. In some places, such as the Lostine River and a portion of the Wallowa River upstream from Wallowa Lake, fishing is restricted to lures or artificial flies. In general, stream fishing opens May 27 and closes Oct. 31. Anglers out for warm water species such as bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, walleye and yellow perch, will want to try the Snake River, which is open for fishing all year. Steelhead fishing is extremely popular in the county, particularly along the Wallowa, Grande Ronde and Imnaha Rivers.