Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 13, 2026
The Salmon River remains low near 256 cfs, while the latest local report supports good numbers of Chinook in lower-river runs and several Pulaski pools.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River remains a fair early-season salmon option. USGS showed 256 cfs and 5.41 feet at Pineville during the morning check, a small rise from Saturday but still low enough to concentrate fish and anglers. The latest local report, dated September 12, supports good numbers of Chinook in the lower river, Ballpark, and Staircase. Start at first light, fish sparse patterns through travel lanes, and move after a clean pass.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. More kings are being reported, but low flow limits movement and space |
| Flow | 256 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.41 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by the USGS gauge |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Rising slightly |
| Best Window | First light through midmorning |
| Best Method | Sparse streamers, leeches, stonefly nymphs, and natural egg patterns |
| Wadeability | Good at established crossings, with care around concentrated fish and anglers |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Pulaski calls for a chance of rain showers, partly sunny skies, a high near 76 F, and southwest wind at 6 to 9 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected. A cooler northwest wind arrives tonight and Monday.
River Notes
Pineville gained about 24 cfs since Saturday morning. The latest local report describes another productive day in the Douglaston Salmon Run, with fish also reported around the Ballpark and Staircase. Low water remains the limiting condition, so kings are likely to use deeper travel lanes, pool heads and tails, and shaded slots.
Begin below Pulaski at first light. Cover walking-speed water deliberately with a sparse streamer or leech, then change angle or location before adding weight. Keep distance from other anglers and avoid standing in the lanes used by moving fish.
Hatch Activity
This is a salmon-run report, so fish movement and forage matter more than a trout hatch list. Official gauges do not report migration. The September 12 local report provides the latest useful movement context, with Chinook reported in the lower river and several Pulaski pools.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon movement | Not reported | Fish lower-river travel lanes and Pulaski pools at first light |
| Stonefly nymphs | 8-12 | A searching choice around pockets and seams |
| Eggs | 6-10 mm | Use sparse natural colors in low water |
| Baitfish and leech profile | 4-8 | Cover deeper slots and pool tails |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streamer | Comet, Boss, or sparse salmon streamer | 4-8 | Swing through travel lanes at first light |
| Streamer | Egg-sucking leech, Woolly Bugger, or rabbit strip leech | 4-8 | Fish deeper slots with a controlled swing |
| Nymph | Black Stonefly, Prince Nymph, or Hare's Ear | 8-12 | Search pockets without dragging through resting fish |
| Egg | Single egg, sucker spawn, or estaz egg | 6-10 mm | Keep the rig sparse and avoid lining fish |
Tactics
Start low before direct sun reaches the river. Fish pool heads and tails, walking-speed runs, undercut margins, and shaded slots used by moving kings. In low water, change angle or location before adding weight. Use tackle strong enough to shorten fights, keep landed fish in the water, and respect anglers already working a run.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALMON RIVER AT PINEVILLE NY | 256 cfs | Not reported | USGS 04250200 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 04250200 and the National Weather Service forecast for the Pulaski, NY area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with the September 12 local fishing report reviewed separately for fish movement, method, and access context.