Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Fishing Report: November 1, 2026
The Salmon River is steady near 240 cfs at Pineville, with fresh steelhead and the most consistent recent action in the lower third of the river.
- 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, and recent reporting places fresh steelhead throughout the system. The lower third has produced the most consistent action, while remaining salmon are concentrated farther upstream. Start with single-egg patterns in faster water below spawning areas, then use nymphs or small streamers through deeper travel lanes. The Lower Fly Section remains closed; 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. EST |
| Water Temp | 50 F in the October 30 local report; not measured by the Pineville USGS gauge |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Morning through midday |
| Best Method | Egg patterns, nymphs, and streamers |
| Wadeability | Limited by slick rock, deeper slots, and concentrated anglers |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecasts mostly sunny skies, a high near 60 F, and south wind around 7 mph. Tonight should be partly cloudy with a low near 39 F. Monday should be mostly sunny with a high near 65 F and light south wind. No active weather alerts were posted for Pulaski during the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville has held close to 240 cfs for the past week, so anglers should expect modest, stable water rather than a fresh flow increase. Oswego County's October 29 report notes a new push of steelhead over the preceding three or four days and identifies the lower third as the most productive part of the river. October 30 local reporting also places steelhead from top to bottom. With the river in its late-fall transition, steelhead are the main opportunity, though some salmon remain in the middle and upper sections.
The Lower Fly Section, from the Route 52 bridge in Altmar upstream toward the Salmon River Fish Hatchery property boundary, remains closed. The Upper Fly Area and river downstream of Route 52 remain open. Confirm posted boundaries before fishing. Give spawning salmon and cleaned gravel a wide berth, and do not drift directly over redds.
Hatch Activity
| Forage | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon eggs | 6-10 mm | The leading seasonal food for steelhead below spawning areas |
| Stonefly nymphs | 8-12 | Useful through riffles and broken pocket water |
| Caddis larvae and pupae | 14-18 | A smaller secondary option when fish avoid egg patterns |
| 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 sparse profile and subdued color 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 fish reject egg patterns |
| 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 in open lower-river riffles and pool transitions, where recent reports place the strongest steelhead activity. Drift a single egg pattern through fast lanes below spawning areas without crowding or casting over spawning fish. If that approach stalls, use a stonefly or caddis nymph along the same seams, or swing a small dark streamer through pool tails. Cover water instead of holding one slot. Carry cleats and a wading staff, and verify that the 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, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Salmon River regulations, and Oswego County Tourism's October 29 fishing report. Gauge values are provisional and were checked at 8:05 a.m. Eastern.