Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 18, 2026
The Salmon River remains low near 236 cfs, with kings reported in the system and the lower fly-fishing section in Altmar still closed for hatchery egg collection.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is near 236 cfs and 5.36 feet at Pineville, remaining low and nearly steady. A September 18 local report confirms Chinook moving and holding from the Douglaston Salmon Run through Pulaski, with more fish around deeper middle- and upper-river runs; a few brown trout were also reported from the lower river. The lower fly-fishing section in Altmar remains closed while the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation completes hatchery egg collection. Fish open water at first light with sparse streamers, stonefly nymphs, or natural egg patterns.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Kings are present, but low flow and uneven movement make location important; the lower fly-fishing section in Altmar is closed |
| Flow | 236 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.36 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; a September 18 local report displayed 65 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Nearly steady |
| Best Window | First light through midmorning |
| Best Method | Sparse streamers, leeches, stonefly nymphs, and natural egg patterns |
| Wadeability | Good at established crossings in open water; do not enter the closed lower fly-fishing section in Altmar |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Pulaski calls for mostly sunny skies, a high near 69 F, and north wind from 6 to 13 mph. No active weather alert covered Pulaski during the morning check. Tonight should fall near 43 F. The cooler air helps anglers and fish, but direct sun still favors the earliest window.
River Notes
Pineville gained only a few cfs and remains close to the same low September level. The September 18 local report adds current detail after the 8 AM check: anglers found mostly Chinook, plus a few brown trout, in the Douglaston Salmon Run. Kings were moving and holding in deeper holes there and around the Ballpark, Town Pool, Staircase and Long Bridge, and Black Hole. Deeper middle- and upper-river runs also held kings. Oswego County's September 17 report says river fishing is beginning to build, supporting a developing run without establishing uniform action throughout the system.
DEC delayed the normal September 15 opening of the lower fly-fishing section from the Route 52 bridge in Altmar upstream to the hatchery property boundary. The agency cited low reservoir and tributary flows, warm water, and the need to collect sufficient salmon eggs. The 16 river miles below Route 52 and the upper fly-fishing section remain open.
Begin at the head or tail of a deeper open-water run. Cover walking-speed seams and shaded slots with a sparse streamer or leech. A stonefly nymph or natural egg pattern can follow where fish hold but refuse a swung fly. Change angle or location after a clean pass instead of adding enough weight to drag through visible salmon.
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. Current local context supports Chinook moving and holding in lower-river pools as well as deeper middle- and upper-river runs. A few brown trout were also reported from the Douglaston Salmon Run.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon movement | Not reported | Fish were moving and holding in lower-river pools and deeper runs upstream |
| 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 pool heads and tails 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 at first light in a deeper middle- or upper-river run outside the closed lower fly-fishing section, or check an open lower-river travel lane before direct light reaches it. Use enough weight to reach the lane without dragging across salmon. Tackle should be strong enough to shorten fights. Keep landed fish in the water, avoid redds, and give other anglers room to rotate. Check DEC notices before entering either Altmar fly-fishing area because the lower section remains closed until the agency announces otherwise.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALMON RIVER AT PINEVILLE NY | 236 cfs | Not reported | USGS 04250200 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 04250200, the National Weather Service forecast for the Pulaski, NY area, and the September 14 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation closure notice. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge, weather, and access information, with September 18 local and September 17 regional reports reviewed separately for fish movement and river-section context.