Salmon River Fishing Report: November 2, 2026

Quick Summary

The Salmon River is easing through 236 cfs at Pineville, and recent reporting places steelhead throughout the system. The lower third remains the best starting point, while remaining salmon are concentrated farther upstream. Fish single-egg patterns first, then work nymphs or small streamers through faster lanes and pool transitions. The Lower Fly Section remains closed under the current New York State Department of Environmental Conservation notice; the Upper Fly Area and river downstream of Route 52 remain open.

Conditions Snapshot

Field	Value
Status	Good in open water
Flow	236 cfs at Pineville at 7:15 a.m. EST
Water Temp	Not reported
Clarity	Not reported
Trend	Falling slowly
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 partly sunny skies, a high near 66 F, and light south wind at 1 to 6 mph. Temperatures should fall toward 60 F during the afternoon. Tonight should be mostly cloudy with a low near 47 F. Tuesday brings a slight morning shower chance, a high near 65 F, and southeast wind around 7 mph. No active weather alerts were posted for Pulaski during the morning check.

River Notes

Pineville slipped from 240 cfs Sunday morning to 236 cfs today and stayed within 236 to 244 cfs during that period. This is modest, stable water without a meaningful runoff pulse. The latest county report describes a recent influx of steelhead and places the most consistent action in the lower third. More recent local context also puts steelhead from top to bottom, with egg patterns producing while salmon remain on spawning gravel.

The Lower Fly Section, from the Route 52 bridge in Altmar upstream toward the Salmon River Fish Hatchery property boundary, remains closed according to the current DEC access notice. The Upper Fly Area and river downstream of Route 52 remain open. Check posted boundaries before fishing, avoid redds and paired salmon, and do not drift directly over cleaned spawning gravel.

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 the latest useful reports place the strongest steelhead activity. Drift one egg pattern through faster lanes below spawning areas without crowding or casting over spawning fish. If that stalls, use a stonefly or caddis nymph along the same seams, or swing a small dark streamer through pool tails. Cover water, 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)	236 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 access notice and regulations, and Oswego County Tourism's October 29 fishing report. Gauge values are provisional and were checked at 8:02 a.m. Eastern.