Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 25, 2026
The Salmon River is holding near 220 cfs, with kings and cohos moving or holding in 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 holding near 220 cfs and 5.32 feet at Pineville. The September 25 local report describes mixed results, with mostly king salmon and a few cohos in the lower river and kings holding in deeper holes and larger runs farther upstream. The lower fly-fishing section in Altmar remains closed under an emergency order. Fish open water early, cover walking-speed lanes and deeper runs, and move after a clean pass rather than crowding visible salmon.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Kings and cohos are present, but low flow concentrates fish and anglers, and the lower Altmar fly-fishing section is closed |
| Flow | 220 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.32 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; the September 24 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 70 F, and south wind of 2 to 10 mph. Tonight should be partly cloudy with a low near 49 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville remains at Thursday's level. The September 25 local report became available after the first morning check and describes mixed results by location. Anglers in the lower river found mostly kings with a few cohos mixed in, while kings in the middle and upper river continued holding around deeper holes and larger runs. The low flow makes a quiet approach, modest weight, and deliberate movement between spots more important.
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 official notice says the closure continues until sufficient salmon eggs are collected. 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. 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. The September 25 local observations found mostly kings and a few cohos in the lower river, with kings occupying deeper holes and larger runs farther upstream.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook and coho presence | Not reported | Same-day lower-river observations found mostly kings with a few cohos mixed in |
| 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 25 local report reviewed separately for same-day salmon presence and river-section context.