Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Fishing Report: October 25, 2026
The Salmon River is steady near 244 cfs at Pineville, with late kings concentrated upriver and steelhead using faster water below spawning areas.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning through midday
- Best methods
- egg patterns, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is steady near 244 cfs at Pineville, four cfs below Saturday morning. Late king salmon remain concentrated in the upper river, while steelhead are using faster water below spawning areas. Fish the morning through midday before bright afternoon sun reaches more of the river. The Lower Fly Fishing Catch and Release Section remains closed through October 31; the Upper Fly Area and the river downstream of Route 52 remain open.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good in open water |
| Flow | 244 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 | Stable to slowly falling |
| 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 63 F, and southeast wind around 6 mph. Tonight should be partly cloudy with a low near 39 F. Monday brings a slight chance of morning rain showers, a high near 60 F, and west wind at 3 to 9 mph. No active weather alerts were posted for Pulaski during the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville has changed little, easing from 248 cfs Saturday morning to 244 cfs today. The modest flow keeps fish and anglers concentrated around deeper travel lanes. Current regional reporting places the remaining king salmon opportunity above Route 2A toward Altmar and steelhead in faster water immediately downstream of spawning areas. In open sections, 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. Do not target spawning salmon, walk on redds, or fish directly over cleaned gravel.
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. Give other anglers room around concentrated holding water. Carry cleats and a wading staff for the slick riverbed, and verify that your chosen access lies outside the closed Lower Fly Section.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River at Pineville (04250200) | 244 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.