Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Fishing Report: October 26, 2026
The Salmon River is steady near 240 cfs at Pineville, with the strongest recent steelhead activity in the lower river and remaining salmon concentrated farther upstream.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning through midday
- Best methods
- egg patterns, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is steady near 240 cfs at Pineville, while current local reporting lists the water temperature at 52 F. The strongest recent steelhead activity has been in the lower river, with fish scattered throughout the system; anglers still looking for salmon should concentrate on the middle and upper river. Fish the morning through midday before the sky becomes cloudier and northwest wind increases. The Lower Fly Fishing Catch and Release Section remains closed through October 31; the Upper Fly Area and river downstream of Route 52 remain open.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good in open water |
| Flow | 240 cfs at Pineville at 7:15 a.m. EDT |
| Water Temp | 52 F from current local reporting; not reported by USGS |
| 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 a mostly sunny morning followed by increasing clouds, a high near 59 F, and west to northwest wind building from 3 to 9 mph. Rain chances remain low. Tonight should turn partly cloudy with temperatures falling into the lower 40s by midnight. No active weather alerts were posted for Pulaski during the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville has changed little, easing from 244 cfs Sunday morning to 240 cfs today. The modest flow keeps fish and anglers concentrated around deeper travel lanes. Current local reporting describes late October as a transition between the main salmon run and peak steelhead fishing. Steelhead are spread through the river, but the lower river has produced the most consistent recent action. Remaining salmon are more likely in the middle and upper river.
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. Start in the lower river for the most consistent recent steelhead opportunity, then cover water rather than crowding one slot. 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) | 240 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, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Salmon River closure notice. Gauge values are provisional and were checked at 8:03 a.m. Eastern.