Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Fishing Report: October 24, 2026
The Salmon River is easing through 248 cfs at Pineville, with late kings upriver and steelhead holding in faster water below spawning areas.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning through midday
- Best methods
- egg patterns, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is easing through 248 cfs at Pineville, four cfs below Friday morning. The October 22 county report directs anglers looking for late king salmon toward the river above Route 2A and reports steelhead in faster water below spawning areas. Fish the morning through midday before bright afternoon sun settles over the river. The Lower Fly Fishing Catch and Release Section remains closed through October 31; the river downstream of Route 52 and the Upper Fly Area remain open.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good in open water |
| Flow | 248 cfs at Pineville at 7:15 a.m. EDT |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; a local source reported 54 F on October 21 |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling slowly |
| 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 south wind at 0 to 3 mph. Tonight should be clear with a low near 34 F. Sunday remains sunny with a high near 62 F and south wind around 6 mph. No active weather alerts were posted for Pulaski during the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville has eased from 252 cfs Friday morning to 248 cfs this morning. The small change leaves the river in the same low, concentrated condition, with fish and anglers gathering around deeper travel lanes. The current county report places the remaining king salmon opportunity above Route 2A toward Altmar, while steelhead are using fast water downstream of spawning areas. Focus on broken riffles, shaded slots, and the deeper side of current seams.
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 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 in current below 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
Use 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 below spawning activity, or swing a small streamer through pool tails for steelhead. Do not target visibly spawning fish, step on redds, or fish directly over cleaned gravel. Give other anglers room around concentrated holding water, and carry cleats and a wading staff for the slick riverbed.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River at Pineville (04250200) | 248 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 checked at 8:02 a.m. Eastern.