Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: October 9, 2026
Kings, cohos, and some steelhead are spread through open Salmon River water, but low flow, pressure, and the lower Altmar closure still limit options.
- 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. A current October 9 local report describes very good fishing from top to bottom for a mix of kings, cohos, and some steelhead. Low flow, angling pressure, and the lower Altmar closure still narrow the available water. Start early, walk beyond crowded pools, and keep presentations sparse and controlled.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Fish are distributed through open water, but low flow, pressure, wind, and the lower Altmar closure restrict options |
| Flow | 220 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.32 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; the current local report displays 58 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable since Thursday morning |
| Best Window | First light through midmorning |
| Best Method | Natural egg patterns in travel lanes and holding water; sparse streamers, leeches, and stonefly nymphs as secondary choices |
| Wadeability | Good at established crossings in open water; do not enter the closed lower Altmar section |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Pulaski calls for a high near 61 F and a 40 percent chance of rain showers. West wind should run 12 to 16 mph. Tonight carries a slight shower chance before turning partly cloudy, with a low near 38 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check.
River Notes
Pineville remains near 220 cfs and 5.32 feet. The October 9 local report describes another strong day across the river, with kings, cohos, and some steelhead producing action from the lower river through upstream holding areas. Oswego County's October 8 report also documented fresh kings entering and earlier fish spreading upstream. Anglers can use that distribution to look beyond the most crowded holes for quieter travel lanes and pool edges.
New York State DEC delayed the normal September 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 effect through October 31. Strong west wind can complicate line control and loosen limbs. Keep clear of compromised trees and move to sheltered water if casting becomes unsafe.
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 and county reports support a broad distribution of kings, with cohos and some steelhead also present in open water.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook movement | Not reported | Kings are distributed through open river sections |
| Coho presence | Not reported | Current local reporting includes cohos in the river-wide mix |
| Steelhead presence | Not reported | Some steelhead are mixed into the current run |
| Stonefly nymphs | 8-12 | A searching choice around pockets and seams |
| Eggs | 6-10 mm | Keep colors natural and presentations sparse 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 | Lead with a sparse natural presentation and avoid lining fish |
Tactics
Start at first light in an open travel lane, or walk past crowded pools to find quieter water. 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. Shorten casts in the wind, 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 | 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, the September 14 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation closure notice, and the October 8 Oswego County Tourism fishing report. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge, weather, access, and fish-movement information, with the October 9 shop report reviewed separately for water temperature, species distribution, and fishing-pressure context.