Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Fishing Report: October 17, 2026
Fishing remains very good on the upper Salmon River with kings, cohos, and steelhead taking flies, though the lower catch-and-release area is closed through October 31 by emergency order due to drought and salmon spawning.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning through midday
- Best methods
- nymphs, streamers, fly line strips
Quick Summary
Fishing on the upper Salmon River near Pulaski remains very good with active kings, cohos, and steelhead running through the system. Water temperature is holding at 58 F, which is warm for trout but still productive for fall runs in this lake-effect system. A northwestern wind of 12-15 mph and a high near 46 F are making presentations a bit challenging, but fish are active and willing to take flies. The most important note for anglers today: the Lower Fly Fishing Catch & Release Area is closed by emergency order through October 31 due to drought conditions and the need to protect Pacific salmon spawning at the Salmon River Hatchery. Plan your outing on the upper sections above the closure zone.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | Not reported from gauge today |
| Water Temp | 58 F at Pulaski |
| Clarity | Clear |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Morning through midday |
| Best Method | Streamers, nymphs |
| Wadeability | Good |
Weather
Forecast calls for a high near 46 F with mostly sunny skies. Northwest winds of 12-15 mph will make dry fly presentations difficult, especially on exposed runs. Overnight lows drop to 30 F with widespread frost. Sunday brings a warming trend with a high near 59 F and winds easing to 6 mph from the southwest, which should improve conditions for the weekend. Precipitation chance is minimal at 13 percent today and drops to 1 percent by Sunday.
River Notes
The upper Salmon River near Pulaski is holding at 58 F, which is on the warm side for trout but still within productive range for fall king salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead runs. The river is running stable with no significant flow changes reported today. Conditions are clear and the main challenge is the northwestern wind, which should ease by afternoon. Anglers are reporting excellent action from top to bottom on the upper river, with a mix of species taking flies. The lower river remains closed through October 31 by emergency order, so all fishing should be concentrated in the open upper sections and above the hatchery zone. The recent rain that affected the lower river has passed and conditions there are now clear.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coho/Steelhead eggs | Not reported | Fall spawning run, egg patterns effective |
| Sculpin/forage | Not reported | Primary forage, streamer patterns productive |
| Dark Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | Present but secondary to salmon/steelhead focus |
| Small caddis | 16-20 | Minor activity, dropper pattern potential |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streamers | Olive Bugger | 4-6 | Top producer for king salmon and steelhead, strip slow and steady |
| Streamers | Woolly Bugger | 4-6 | Black and olive colors most reliable in 58 F water |
| Nymphs | Pheasant Tail Nymph | 16-18 | BWO nymph when salmon are not actively feeding |
| Nymphs | Sandy's Stone Fly | 8-10 | Egg and sculpin imitation for run fish |
| Dries | Dun Olive | 16-18 | Secondary pattern when subsurface isn't producing |
Tactics
The primary focus on the upper Salmon River is salmon and steelhead take, which favors streamer patterns fished with a steady strip retrieve through the main runs and deeper pools. The Olive Bugger and a black or olive Woolly Bugger are the most productive patterns for kings and cohos. Fish the faster water and seams where the current is strong enough to hold run fish. When the wind makes surface presentations difficult, switch to subsurface. Nymphing with a Pheasant Tail Nymph on a dropper can produce trout while waiting for salmon runs to move through a section. If conditions calm by midday, a dry-dropper setup with a Dun Olive on top and a nymph below can work well in pocket water.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River at Pulaski (06511000) | Not reported | 58 F | USGS |
| Salmon River at Pineville | Not reported | Not reported | Whitakers gauge link |
Safety Note
The Lower Fly Fishing Catch & Release Area of the Salmon River is closed by emergency order through October 31, 2026. Drought conditions have produced low and warm water conditions, and the closure is intended to help ensure an adequate Pacific salmon egg take at the Salmon River Hatchery during the fall 2026 spawning season. All fishing must be conducted in the open upper sections. For questions or concerns, contact the Region 7 Fisheries office at 607-218-3767.
Sources
This report draws on daily condition information from Whitakers Sports Store and Motel in Pulaski, USGS gauge data for the Salmon River, the National Weather Service point forecast for Bridgeport, NY, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation emergency closure order. Water temperature is from the on-site gauge at Whitakers. Conditions are current as of the morning check.