Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 19, 2026
The Salmon River remains low near 224 cfs, with kings reported through the system and the lower fly-fishing section in Altmar still closed for hatchery egg collection.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is near 224 cfs and 5.33 feet at Pineville, remaining low and easing from Friday. The latest local report, dated September 18, found Chinook moving and holding from the lower river through deeper middle- and upper-river runs, with a few brown trout in the Douglaston Salmon Run. 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 | 224 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.33 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; the September 18 local report displayed 65 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling slowly |
| 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 66 F, and light east wind. Rain showers become likely after 3 a.m. Sunday, followed by a 90 percent chance of rain Sunday. The cooler weather favors morning fishing, but anglers should watch for changing flow and runoff after rain begins.
River Notes
Pineville has dropped about 12 cfs since Friday morning and remains at a low September level. The latest accessible local report is dated September 18. It found mostly Chinook, plus a few brown trout, in the Douglaston Salmon Run. Kings were moving and holding in deeper lower-river holes and around Pulaski, while deeper middle- and upper-river runs also held fish. Treat that as recent context rather than a same-morning location report.
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 river below Route 52 and the upper fly-fishing section remain open under their applicable regulations.
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. Move 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. The September 18 local context supports Chinook moving and holding in lower-river pools and deeper runs upstream, but no September 19 local update was available at the morning check.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon movement | Not reported | The latest local report found fish moving and holding in deeper runs |
| 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 open-water run outside the closed lower fly-fishing section. 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, and check the Pineville gauge again after Sunday's rain begins.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALMON RIVER AT PINEVILLE NY | 224 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 the September 18 local report reviewed separately for recent fish movement and river-section context.