Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 30, 2026
The Salmon River remains steady near 216 cfs, with kings and cohos reported across the river and the lower Altmar fly-fishing section still closed.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River remains steady near 216 cfs and 5.31 feet at Pineville. A September 30 local report confirms another productive day for kings and cohos in the lower river, with kings also holding in deeper midriver and upper-river pools. Start at first light, use a sparse presentation in the low flow, and expect fish to hold more than travel after the early window. The lower fly-fishing section in Altmar remains closed under an emergency order.
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 62 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 morning fog before 8 a.m., then mostly cloudy skies, a high near 72 F, and south wind from 2 to 6 mph. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check. Thursday brings a 50 percent chance of showers, but little rainfall is expected before then.
River Notes
Pineville has held at 216 cfs and 5.31 feet for the past day. The September 30 local report describes another productive day for a mix of kings and cohos at the Douglaston Salmon Run. Anglers also found fish around the Papermill, Ballpark, Town Pool, Long Bridge, Staircase, and Black Hole. Farther upstream, kings were holding in deeper water around Sportsman Pool, Pineville, Trestle Pool, Ellis Cove, and the open upper fly-fishing section. Use those observations as a starting point because fish distribution can change between reports.
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 emergency closure remains in place while the hatchery works toward its salmon egg-collection target. Respect posted boundaries and check current regulations before fishing near Altmar.
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 30 local context places kings and cohos throughout the lower river and kings in deeper midriver and upper-river holding water.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook and coho presence | Not reported | The September 30 report places both species in the lower river and kings in deeper midriver and upstream pools |
| 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. Cover the head, inside seam, and tail before changing locations. 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.
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 a September 30 local report reviewed separately for salmon presence and river-section context.