Fishing Season: Fall

Salmon River - NY

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

38

Whitakers's Tip of the Week

The increased flow has continued to bring fresh fish into the river and spread them out from top to bottom. With the colder weather conditions the steelhead are staritng to move into the normal winter holding areas. The upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville has been getting the most pressure on a daily basis which is normal for this time of year. If your willing to walk and trying to avoid other anglers, the mid section of river would be a good choice.

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 12/3/25

Well below average temperatures with lake effect snow.

Techniques & Tips as of 12/3/25

Egg patterns under a strike indicator, dead drifting with nymphs or swinging small streamers with sinking leaders.

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:

Upper end of the river.

Best Access:

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