Fishing Season: Fall

Salmon River - NY

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

45

Whitakers's Tip of the Week

We recently got our first dusting of lake effect snow along with winter weather conditions. After several weeks of drought conditions we finally got enough rain that the flow from the dam has been increased. The increased flow will continue to bring fresh steelhead into the river and help spread them out. We still have decent water temperatures for this time of year with the pocket water and transition water producing the most action. Depending on the day and section of river, anglers have also had some success with nymphs or small streamers.

Directions open in app

Map of Salmon River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Tailwater Lodge
Zero Limit Adventures

5-Day Outlook as of 11/11/25

Below average temperatures with mixed precipitation and windy conditions.

Techniques & Tips as of 11/11/25

Swinging streamers with sinking leaders or dead drifting egg patterns.

Local Species Available Fall

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    King Salmon

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    Coho Salmon

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    Steelhead

Whitakers's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Meg A Egg Sucking Leech pink, orange, chart 4
Hot Cone Woolly Bugger black, olve 4
Chuck and Duck Sculpin olive, brown 4
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer black,olive 6
Steelie omelet cerise, peach, chart 6
rubber legged stone black, brown, olive 6
Conehead Bunny Muddler white, olive, black 4
Bead Head Flash Zonker black, white 6
Glo-bugs orange, pink, chart 6
Fish Skull buggers black, white 6

Meg A Egg Sucking Leech

An effective imitation of a leech and egg, perfect for salmon and steelhead fly fishing.

2.99

Item #059T

Buy Now

Whitakers's Recommended Gear

Description: About Salmon River

The Salmon River is without a doubt, the most famous salmon and steelhead river in the entire northeast. The salmon river is hydro electrically controlled and the water levels can vary based on rainfall, snow melt or drought. There is 13 miles of public access and 2 miles of privately controlled access where anglers can purchase a daily access pass. Labor Day weekend signals the start of salmon season with a scheduled water release. With the increase in water level the salmon begin their annual migration. Most of the true spawning areas/gravel bars are upstream of the Pineville bridge and that's where the bulk of these fish end up. Chinooks and Coho are fall spawners and they die after spawning. By November they are pretty much gone. Steelhead are spring spawners, but the first of the winter run fish show up with the salmon. November and December see more steelhead entering the river system. These fish will overwinter in the river and provide us with a winter fishery. January and February are reserved for serious fisherman. Lots of snow...dress warm...sleep in a bit longer and carry hand warmers. Spring comes eventually, in March or April. The spawning process begins and can provide plenty of action as the water temperature rises along with the arrival of mild weather. Once these fish have completed spawning, it's like a slow down stream migration as they feed all the way back to Lake Ontario.

Nearest Airport:

Syracuse International Airport (SYR)

Hatches:

Caddis, Stoneflies

Best Time to Fish:

First thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Best Stretch:

Lower end of the river.

Best Access:

DEC Public fishing access lots off NYS RT13, RT2A, RT52.