Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Fishing Report: November 11, 2026
The Salmon River is falling through 281 cfs at Pineville, with steelhead still reported throughout the system and a calm late-morning through afternoon fishing window.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late morning through afternoon
- Best methods
- egg patterns, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is falling through 281 cfs at Pineville after reading 315 cfs yesterday morning. The latest local update, dated November 10, continues to place steelhead from the lower river through the upper system and favors faster pocket water while the latest reported water temperature remains 48 F. Begin with a sparse egg pattern, then move to a stonefly or caddis nymph when fish refuse it. Light wind and a dry daytime forecast make late morning through afternoon the practical window before rain arrives tonight.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good, with steelhead reported throughout the river and light daytime wind |
| Flow | 281 cfs at Pineville at 7:15 a.m. EST |
| Water Temp | 48 F in the November 10 local report; not reported by the USGS gauge |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling gradually |
| Best Window | Late morning through afternoon as air temperature rises |
| Best Method | Egg patterns, nymphs, and small streamers |
| Wadeability | Limited by slick rock, deeper slots, and low-water concentrations of anglers and fish |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecasts mostly cloudy skies, a high near 51 F, and north to northwest wind around 3 to 5 mph. The daytime rain chance is near 1 percent. Rain becomes likely tonight and continues Thursday, which may change tributary runoff, clarity, and the Pineville reading. No active weather alerts were posted for Pulaski during the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville has eased from 315 cfs Tuesday morning to 281 cfs at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday. The falling river opens some edge water, but the low flow also concentrates fish and anglers in the remaining slots. Check the live reading before entering, use a same-bank route out, and do not assume every apparent crossing is shallow.
The November 10 local update reports productive fishing across the river, steelhead throughout the system, and 48 F water. Faster pocket water and broken seams remain useful starting water under those conditions. Salmon eggs are still part of the drift, so rotate sparse egg colors before adding more weight. Avoid paired salmon, redds, and pale, freshly cleaned gravel.
Hatch Activity
| Forage | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon eggs | 6-10 mm | The main seasonal food below spawning areas; carry several subdued and bright colors |
| Stonefly nymphs | 8-12 | Fish along riffle edges and broken pocket-water seams |
| Caddis larvae and pupae | 14-18 | A smaller secondary choice when steelhead avoid egg patterns |
| Sculpins and small baitfish | 4-8 | Useful in pool tails and deeper slots under lower light |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs | Glo Bug | 8-12 | Use a sparse single-egg profile and rotate colors before changing methods |
| Nymphs | Stonefly Nymph | 8-12 | Drift along pocket-water seams and riffle margins |
| Nymphs | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Use as a smaller trailer after an unproductive egg drift |
| Streamers | Olive Bugger | 6-8 | Swing through pool tails and shaded slots |
| Streamers | Woolly Bugger | 6-8 | Fish black or olive through deeper transition water |
Tactics
Start in quicker seams, riffle pockets, and transitions above or below pools with one egg pattern. Add only enough weight to reach the lane without dragging continuously. Change depth before changing flies, then try a stonefly or caddis nymph if the egg draws no response. A small dark streamer can cover pool tails before the brighter midday period. Carry cleats and a wading staff, give other anglers room, and stay off spawning gravel.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River at Pineville (04250200) | 281 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, and Oswego County Tourism's November 5 fishing report. Current local reporting from November 10 was reviewed separately for water temperature, fish distribution, forage, and method context. Gauge values are provisional and were checked at 8:01 a.m. Eastern.