Fishing Season: Fall

Salmon River - NY

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

33

Whitakers's Tip of the Week

Were currently dealing with typical March weather weather conditions with up and down temperatures. We get a few days of warm weather conditions which creates some runoff, then were back to cold and windy conditions with rain. The upper end of the river in Altmar will have the best water clarity and the least amount of runoff and is where the majority of bank anglers are going. The drift boats are taking advantage of the higher flows while covering lots of water. With the higher flows the fish will be holding in the softer water along the edges and inside seams. For those anglers who are fly fishing, anglers have had success dead drifting with nymphs, using egg patterns under a strike indicator or swinging small streamers with sink tips.

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 3/26/26

Typical spring runoff conditions, with warm and dry one day, then cold and wet the next day.

Techniques & Tips as of 3/26/26

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

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):
Bead Head Stonefly black 10
Prince Nymph black, olve 10
Micro Nuke Egg orange, pink, chart 10
Flashback Hares Ear Nymph natural 10
Steelie omelet cerise, peach, chart 10
rubber legged stone black, brown, olive 8
Senyo's Wiggle Prince natural 10
Bead Head Rubber-Legged Orvis CJ black 10
Glo-bugs orange, pink, chart 10
beadhead buggers black, olive, brown 10

Bead Head Stonefly

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Item #0027

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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:

Around mid day.

Best Stretch:

Upper end of the river.

Best Access:

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