Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Fishing Report: October 19, 2026
The Salmon River is low near 232 cfs at Pineville, with salmon throughout the open river and more steelhead entering; the Lower Fly Section remains closed.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning through midday
- Best methods
- egg patterns, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is low and slowly falling near 232 cfs at Pineville. Current local reporting describes salmon from the lower river through the upper reaches, with additional steelhead entering the system. Focus on deeper travel lanes and holding pools, especially during the morning. The Lower Fly Fishing Catch and Release Section remains closed; the river downstream of Route 52 and the Upper Fly Area remain open.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good in open water |
| Flow | 232 cfs at Pineville at 7:15 a.m. EDT |
| Water Temp | 58 F local morning reading; not reported by USGS |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Slowly falling |
| Best Window | Morning through midday |
| Best Method | Egg patterns, nymphs, and streamers |
| Wadeability | Limited by slick rock, crowds, and deep slots |
Weather
Pulaski should be sunny with a high near 62 F and southwest wind around 6 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low near 38 F. Tuesday stays sunny near 61 F, with north wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph.
River Notes
Pineville has slipped from 240 cfs yesterday morning to 232 cfs. This remains low water for the October run, concentrating fish and anglers around deeper pools, broken riffles, and shaded travel lanes. Salmon remain distributed through the open river, and fresh steelhead are joining them. The warm, dry forecast is unlikely to add runoff today, so use a quiet approach and restrained fly profile.
The Lower Fly Section, from the County Route 52 bridge in Altmar upstream about one-quarter mile to Beaverdam Brook, is closed through October 31 under the current New York State Department of Environmental Conservation emergency action. Check posted boundaries before fishing. The Upper Fly Area and the river downstream of the Route 52 bridge remain open.
Hatch Activity
| Forage | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon eggs | 6-10 mm | Primary seasonal food around active spawning fish |
| Stonefly nymphs | 8-12 | Useful in faster riffles and pocket water |
| Caddis larvae and pupae | 14-18 | Secondary option for steelhead and resident trout |
| Sculpins and small baitfish | 4-8 | Streamer option in deeper pools and low-light water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs | Glo Bug | 8-12 | Use a restrained color and profile in low water |
| Nymphs | Stonefly Nymph | 8-12 | Work faster seams and riffle edges |
| Nymphs | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Use as a smaller trailer for steelhead |
| Streamers | Olive Bugger | 6-8 | Swing through pool tails and shaded slots |
| Streamers | Woolly Bugger | 6-8 | Black or olive for low-light periods |
Tactics
At 232 cfs, approach quietly and fish the deepest part of each travel lane before moving. Keep egg and nymph rigs near the bottom without dragging or lining fish. A small streamer swung through a pool tail can reach steelhead holding behind moving salmon. Do not target visibly spawning fish, stay off redds, and leave room for other anglers around concentrated holding water. Cleats and a wading staff remain sensible at this flow.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River at Pineville (04250200) | 232 cfs | Not reported | USGS |
Sources
Official sources checked were the United States Geological Survey gauge at Pineville, the National Weather Service point forecast for Pulaski, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Salmon River closure notice. Gauge values are provisional and were checked at 8:01 a.m. Eastern.