Fishing Season: FALL

Salmon River - NY

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

48

Whitakers's Tip of the Week

We currently have a mix of spawned out steelhead often called drop backs or steelhead that are still in the spawning process. The drop backs are scattered from top to bottom and covering lots of water has been the key to success. Anglers have been finding them in the head or tailouts of the bigger holes and larger runs. With the water temperature being above average for this time of year more and more fish are holding in and around the gravel areas of the river.If your willing to walk and looking for some solitude, the mid to lower end of the river would be a good choice. With the water temperature reaching near 50 degrees were starting to see some small bass moving into the lower end of the river. For those anglers who are fly fishing, dead drifitng with nymphs, indicator fishing with egg patterns or swinging streamers with sink tips or sinking leaders have all produced results.

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 4/16/24

Check the water level before making the trip. Average temperatures for this time of year.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/16/24

Dead drifting with nymphs, swinging streamers with sinking leaders, indicator rigs with egg patterns.

Local Species Available FALL

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    King Salmon

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    Coho Salmon

Whitakers's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Steelhead Stone purple, orange 8
Steelhead Hammer black, red, blue, ch 12
Rusher's Steelhead Nymph blue, purple, chart 10
Steak N Eggs orange, pink, chart 10
woolly bugger black, olive, purple 8
rubber legged stone black, brown, olive 8
Schultzy's Steech purple, olive, black 8
Steelie Omelet peach, cerise, chart 10
prince nymph natural 10
Fish Skull buggers black, white 6

Steelhead Stone

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Item #80A6

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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:

mid day once things warm up.

Best Stretch:

Upper and Lower end of the river.

Best Access:

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