Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 23, 2026
The Salmon River is near 220 cfs, with mixed king salmon action concentrated around the first-light movement window and deeper runs; the lower Altmar fly-fishing section remains closed.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is near 220 cfs and 5.32 feet at Pineville. Tuesday produced mixed king salmon results, with the best movement at first light before fish settled into deeper holes and larger runs. The lower fly-fishing section in Altmar remains closed under an emergency order. Fish open water early, cover deeper walking-speed lanes, and move after a clean pass rather than crowding visible salmon.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Kings are present, but results vary, flow is low, and the lower fly-fishing section in Altmar is closed |
| Flow | 220 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.32 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; the current local page displayed 61 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| 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 sunny skies, a high near 69 F, and east wind of 2 to 9 mph. Tonight should be clear with a low near 41 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville remains close to Tuesday's level. The September 23 local report describes mixed results: some groups found good king salmon action, while others had a slower day. The consistent feature was an early movement window followed by fish holding in deeper holes. Kings remain distributed into the middle and upper river, particularly around deeper holes and larger runs.
New York State 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 closure remains in effect until DEC collects enough salmon eggs at the hatchery. The river below Route 52 and the upper fly-fishing section remain open under their applicable regulations.
Cover the head, inside seam, and tail of a deeper open-water run before changing locations. A sparse streamer or leech is useful in low water. Follow with a stonefly nymph or natural egg pattern where fish hold but refuse a swung fly. Low flow concentrates anglers and salmon, so rotate water and avoid weight that drags a fly through resting 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. Current local observations show kings moving best at first light and then holding in deeper holes and larger runs through the river.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon movement | Not reported | Best at first light before fish settle into deeper water |
| 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. If the first pass is clean, change angle or fly once, then move to another run. 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 | 220 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 23 local report reviewed separately for fish movement and river-section context.