Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 21, 2026
The Salmon River is holding near 228 cfs, with kings spread through deeper runs and the lower fly-fishing section in Altmar still closed.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is holding near 228 cfs and 5.34 feet at Pineville. Sunday's local report described a slow Saturday in the Douglaston Salmon Run, with the best action early, while anglers also found fish around several lower-river access points and deeper middle- and upper-river runs. The lower fly-fishing section in Altmar remains closed under an emergency order. Fish open water at first light with sparse streamers, stonefly nymphs, or natural egg patterns, and move after a clean pass rather than crowding visible salmon.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Kings are distributed through the system, but action is uneven, flow remains low, and the lower fly-fishing section in Altmar is closed |
| Flow | 228 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.34 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; the latest local page displayed 65 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable overnight |
| 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 partly sunny skies, a high near 62 F, and northeast wind around 9 mph. Tonight should be mostly cloudy with a low near 42 F. A Beach Hazards Statement covers the Lake Ontario shore through 2 p.m.; it does not replace a river gauge check or the need to assess each crossing.
River Notes
Pineville held between roughly 224 and 232 cfs overnight and was near 228 cfs at the morning check. The latest accessible local report is dated September 20 and summarizes Saturday's fishing. Anglers there reported slow fishing in the Douglaston Salmon Run, with the best opportunity first thing in the morning. Other reported lower-river areas included Route 2A, Papermill, Ballpark, Town Pool, Long Bridge and Staircase, and Black Hole. Kings were also holding in deeper holes and larger runs in the middle and upper river.
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 emergency order runs through October 31 unless changed. 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. Follow with a stonefly nymph or natural egg pattern where fish hold but refuse a swung fly. Low flow concentrates anglers and fish, so rotate water and avoid adding enough weight to drag across 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 latest local report indicates kings are distributed from the lower river into deeper middle- and upper-river holding water, with inconsistent action in the lower river.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon movement | Not reported | Fish are present through the system, but Saturday's lower-river action was slow and best early |
| 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 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 before crossing.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALMON RIVER AT PINEVILLE NY | 228 cfs | Not reported | USGS 04250200 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 04250200, the National Weather Service forecast and active alert feed 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, alert, and access information, with the September 20 local report reviewed separately for recent fish movement and river-section context.