Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: October 11, 2026
The Salmon River remains near 216 cfs with kings, cohos, and some steelhead spread through open water, while Sunday pressure and rain favor an early start.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- First light through late morning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is near 216 cfs and 5.31 feet at Pineville. The latest available local and county reports continue to support kings, cohos, and some steelhead through open river sections. Low flow, Sunday pressure, and the lower Altmar closure constrain options, while rain and stronger southeast wind arrive later. Start at first light and move beyond crowded pools before settling into a lane.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Fish remain distributed through open water, but low flow, weekend pressure, incoming rain, and the lower Altmar closure limit options |
| Flow | 216 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.31 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; the latest local report displayed 58 F on October 9 |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable since Saturday morning |
| Best Window | First light through late morning, before steadier rain |
| Best Method | Natural egg patterns in travel lanes; sparse streamers, leeches, and stonefly nymphs as secondary choices |
| Wadeability | Good at established crossings in open water; reassess if rain changes the level and do not enter the closed lower Altmar section |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Pulaski calls for a cloudy morning followed by likely rain after 1 p.m., a high near 62 F, and southeast wind near 12 mph. Less than one-tenth of an inch is expected during the day, with one-tenth to one-quarter inch possible tonight. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check.
River Notes
Pineville remains nearly unchanged near 216 cfs and 5.31 feet. The latest shop report is dated October 9, and Oswego County's latest report is dated October 8. Together they describe kings through the system, cohos in the mix, and some steelhead. Treat that species distribution as recent context rather than a new Sunday observation. At low flow, quieter travel lanes, pool edges, and deeper slots away from concentrated pressure are the practical targets.
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. Sunday pressure can be heavy. Give other anglers room, avoid redds, and do not crowd a lane already being fished.
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, and no new local report was posted for October 11.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook movement | Not reported | Recent reports place kings throughout open river sections |
| Coho presence | Not reported | Recent reporting includes cohos in the river-wide mix |
| Steelhead presence | Not reported | Some steelhead were included in the latest available report |
| 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. Rain is not expected to add much water during the fishing window, but recheck the gauge before crossing later. Use tackle strong enough to shorten fights, keep landed fish in the water, avoid redds, and leave room for other anglers 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, 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 and species distribution.