Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 27, 2026
The Salmon River remains near 216 cfs, with kings and some cohos in the system; 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 remains near 216 cfs and 5.31 feet at Pineville. The latest local report is dated September 25 and describes mostly king salmon with some cohos in the lower river, plus kings holding in deeper 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.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Salmon are present, but low flow concentrates fish and anglers, and the lower Altmar fly-fishing section is closed |
| Flow | 216 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.31 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; the latest local page displays 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 rain after 9 a.m., a high near 64 F, and north wind near 12 mph. A Beach Hazards Statement covers the Lake Ontario shoreline, not the Salmon River channel; anglers near the lake should avoid piers and areas where waves break across shore structures. Rain tapers tonight, with a chance of showers Monday.
River Notes
Pineville is unchanged from Saturday morning. No newer local report was available at the morning check, so the September 25 observations remain the latest local context: mostly kings with a few cohos in the lower river, and kings holding around deeper holes and larger runs farther upstream. Fish location can change daily, so cover open water instead of relying on one reported section.
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. Rain may add fish movement later, but confirm any change on the gauge rather than expecting an immediate push.
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 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 | September 25 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. Use tackle 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 | 216 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 salmon presence and river-section context.