Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: October 3, 2026
The Salmon River remains near 216 cfs, with recent reports placing kings and cohos through the system 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 near 216 cfs and 5.31 feet at Pineville. The latest local report, published October 2, placed kings and cohos in the lower river and kings in deeper middle- and upper-river pools. Fish early, use sparse patterns in the low flow, and expect bright skies to increase the value of shade and depth. The lower fly-fishing section in Altmar remains closed under an emergency order.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Salmon are distributed through the river, 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 displayed 62 F on October 2 |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | First light through midmorning |
| Best Method | Sparse streamers and natural egg patterns in travel lanes; leeches and stonefly nymphs in deeper holding water |
| 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 sun, a high near 62 F, and north wind around 6 mph. Tonight should be mostly clear with a low near 40 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville remains nearly unchanged at 216 cfs and 5.31 feet. The October 2 local report described kings and cohos in lower-river travel lanes and kings holding in deeper pools through the middle and upper river. No October 3 local report was available at the morning check, so use that distribution as recent context rather than a fresh count. The stable low gauge does not show a new runoff push.
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 latest local report is dated October 2 and documents kings and cohos in the lower river with kings also holding farther upstream.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook and coho presence | Not reported | Recent reports place fish in lower travel lanes and kings in deeper midriver and upper-river 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, shaded seams, 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 and shaded seams 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 an open lower-river travel lane, or choose a shaded deep pool farther upstream for holding fish. Stay 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. 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, and access information, with the October 2 local report reviewed separately for recent fish distribution and water-temperature context.