Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: October 13, 2026
The Salmon River remains near 216 cfs with stable flows, but showers and thunderstorms today could raise water levels and affect visibility by afternoon.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- First light through late morning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is holding near 216 cfs and 5.31 feet at Pineville, stable from yesterday. A Whitakers Sports Store report from October 12 describes strong fishing from top to bottom with king salmon, coho, and some steelhead. Today's forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms through the day, which could push flows and reduce clarity by afternoon. Start early, work open travel lanes, and stay clear of the lower Altmar closure.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Fish are distributed through open water and reports are strong, but today's rain and storms may reduce clarity and raise flows by afternoon |
| Flow | 216 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.31 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS |
| Clarity | Not reported; expect some decline if today's storms deliver heavy rain |
| Trend | Stable from yesterday, but rain through the day may increase flow and reduce clarity |
| Best Window | First light through late morning |
| Best Method | Natural egg patterns in travel lanes; sparse streamers, leeches, and stonefly nymphs as secondary |
| 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 showers and thunderstorms through the day, a high near 73 F, and south wind from 3 to 7 mph. Rain and storms may persist into tonight, gradually giving way to mostly cloudy skies with a low near 59 F. Wednesday brings a cooldown to 65 F with mostly cloudy conditions. No active NWS alert covered the Pulaski area at the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville has held near 216 cfs and 5.31 feet, stable from yesterday. The Whitakers Sports Store October 12 daily report describes strong fishing from top to bottom over the past few days, with king salmon, coho, and some steelhead in the system. Angler pressure was high over the extended weekend, which concentrates fishers at familiar pools and travel lanes. The practical approach is to walk beyond crowded pools and target quieter water.
The New York State DEC emergency closure of the lower fly-fishing section in Altmar remains in effect through October 31, extending from the Route 52 bridge upstream to the hatchery property boundary. Do not enter this section under any circumstances. Give other anglers room, avoid redds, and leave room for fish to rotate through lanes.
Today's rain and thunderstorms may begin to affect flows and clarity by midday. The first light through late morning window remains the best option. If conditions deteriorate later, plan to pack up early.
Hatch Activity
This is a salmon-run report, so fish movement and forage matter more than a trout hatch list.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook movement | Not reported | The October 12 Whitakers report describes kings from top to bottom |
| Coho presence | Not reported | Cohos remain part of the current river-wide mix |
| Steelhead presence | Not reported | Some steelhead are included in the current 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 beyond crowded pools to find quieter water. Stay outside the closed lower fly-fishing section in Altmar. 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 leave room for anglers to rotate. If today's storms bring heavy rain, expect a flow and clarity decline by midday; plan an early exit or shift to subsurface patterns that can still work in slightly stained water.
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 12 Whitakers Sports Store daily report reviewed separately for species distribution, fishing pressure, and water temperature.