Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Fishing Report: November 5, 2026
The Salmon River is holding near 236 cfs at Pineville, with strong steelhead numbers entering the low river and rain likely to affect conditions later today.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning through early afternoon
- Best methods
- egg patterns, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is holding near 236 cfs at Pineville after several days of little change. Oswego County's November 5 report confirms strong numbers of steelhead entering the river, though the low flow is slowing their movement upstream. Concentrate on faster water with single-egg presentations. Rain is likely through the afternoon, so fish the morning and early afternoon window and recheck the gauge if runoff begins. 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 8:15 a.m. EST |
| Water Temp | 48 F locally reported on November 3 |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable before today's rain |
| Best Window | Morning through early afternoon |
| Best Method | Egg patterns, nymphs, and small streamers |
| Wadeability | Limited by slick rock, deeper slots, and concentrated anglers |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecasts rain showers through the afternoon, a high near 68 F, and southwest wind at 7 to 13 mph. Rainfall of one tenth to one quarter inch is possible. Tonight should be mostly cloudy with a low near 49 F, followed by a mostly cloudy Friday near 62 F. No active weather alerts were posted for Pulaski during the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville read 236 cfs at 8:15 a.m., compared with 236 cfs at the same point in the morning Wednesday. The river has remained in a narrow 236 to 244 cfs range since Monday, so there is no meaningful runoff pulse yet. Oswego County's November 5 update reports a strong push of steelhead into the river but slow upstream movement under the low-flow conditions. A November 3 local update also places steelhead from the lower river through the upper system and gives a 48 F water reading. Both sources point anglers toward faster water, while the current county report specifically supports single-egg imitations.
The Lower Fly Section, from the Route 52 bridge in Altmar upstream to the marked boundary at Beaverdam Brook, remains closed under the current DEC low-water notice. The Upper Fly Area and river downstream of Route 52 remain open. Confirm posted boundaries before fishing, avoid redds and paired salmon, and stay off pale, freshly cleaned spawning gravel. Rain may move leaves and change clarity or flow later today even if the morning gauge remains steady.
Hatch Activity
| Forage | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon eggs | 6-10 mm | The primary seasonal food below active spawning areas |
| Stonefly nymphs | 8-12 | Work through riffles and broken pocket water |
| Caddis larvae and pupae | 14-18 | A smaller secondary choice when fish refuse egg patterns |
| Sculpins and small baitfish | 4-8 | Streamer option for pool tails and deeper slots |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs | Glo Bug | 8-12 | Carry several colors and use a sparse profile |
| Nymphs | Stonefly Nymph | 8-12 | Drift along pocket-water seams and riffle edges |
| Nymphs | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Use as a smaller trailer when fish avoid egg patterns |
| Streamers | Olive Bugger | 6-8 | Swing through pool tails and shaded slots |
| Streamers | Woolly Bugger | 6-8 | Black or olive for the cloudy morning and rain |
Tactics
Start in open lower-river riffles, broken pocket water, and the transitions above and below pools. Drift a single egg pattern through faster lanes without crowding anglers or casting over spawning fish. If repeated clean drifts do not draw a take, change egg color, then try a stonefly or caddis nymph along the same seam. A small dark streamer can cover pool tails during rain or lower light. Carry cleats and a wading staff, verify that access is outside the closed Lower Fly Section, and leave the river if rising water, debris, or poor visibility makes a crossing uncertain.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River at Pineville (04250200) | 236 cfs | Not reported by gauge | 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 November 5 fishing report. Gauge values are provisional and were checked at 9:02 a.m. Eastern.