Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Fishing Report: October 22, 2026
The Salmon River is stable near 260 cfs at Pineville, with the current county report pointing anglers upriver for late kings and steelhead.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning through midday
- Best methods
- egg patterns, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is stable near 260 cfs at Pineville, a modest flow that concentrates fish and anglers around deeper travel lanes. Oswego County's October 22 report points anglers upriver from the Route 2A area toward Altmar for the remaining kings and reports steelhead in the system. Fish the morning through midday before bright sun settles over the open water. 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 | 260 cfs at Pineville at 7:15 a.m. EDT |
| Water Temp | 54 F local reading checked October 22; not reported by USGS |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Morning through midday |
| Best Method | Egg patterns, nymphs, and streamers |
| Wadeability | Limited by slick rock, concentrated anglers, and deeper slots |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecasts sunshine, a high near 59 F, and northwest wind at 1 to 9 mph. Tonight should be mostly clear with a low near 31 F. Friday remains sunny and cooler with a high near 55 F and light north wind. No active weather alerts were posted for Pulaski during the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville is near 260 cfs after reading 264 cfs yesterday morning, keeping the river effectively stable. The current county report places the remaining king salmon opportunity from Route 2A upriver toward Altmar and identifies steelhead in fast water below active spawning areas. At this flow, focus on broken riffles, shaded slots, and the deeper side of travel lanes rather than broad shallow water.
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 through faster riffles and broken pocket water |
| Caddis larvae and pupae | 14-18 | Smaller secondary option for steelhead and resident trout |
| Sculpins and small baitfish | 4-8 | Streamer option for deeper pools and low-light water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs | Glo Bug | 8-12 | Use a restrained color and profile in the modest flow |
| Nymphs | Stonefly Nymph | 8-12 | Drift along riffle seams and pocket-water edges |
| Nymphs | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Use as a smaller trailer when targeting steelhead |
| Streamers | Olive Bugger | 6-8 | Swing through pool tails and shaded slots |
| Streamers | Woolly Bugger | 6-8 | Black or olive for the lower-light morning period |
Tactics
Begin with enough weight to reach the lower part of a travel lane without dragging the rig or lining fish. Drift an egg pattern through fast water downstream of spawning areas, while a small streamer can search pool tails for steelhead. Do not target visibly spawning fish, stay off redds, and give other anglers room around concentrated holding water. Cleats and a wading staff remain sensible even at the modest flow.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River at Pineville (04250200) | 260 cfs | Not reported | USGS |
Sources
Official sources checked were the United States Geological Survey gauge at Pineville, the National Weather Service point forecast and active-alert feed for Pulaski, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Salmon River closure notice, and the October 22 Oswego County Tourism fishing report. Gauge values are provisional and were rechecked at 9:02 a.m. Eastern.