Fishing Season: Fall

Salmon River - NY

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

34

Whitakers's Tip of the Week

With the combination of melting snow and recent rain, it's no surprise the water levels are high and were getting significant runoff. At this point some of the drift boats are going in the higher water, but the majority of bank anglers are keeping an eye on the water level and waiting for the conditions to improve.

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 3/20/25

Above average temperatures for this time of year. With the recent rain and snow melt check the water levels before making the trip.

Techniques & Tips as of 3/20/25

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

Local Species Available Fall

  • Fish Icon

    Steelhead

  • Fish Icon

    Brown Trout

Whitakers's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Steelie Omelet chart, peach 10
Micro Egg orange, pink, chart 10
Chicken Little chart, orange 8
Hot Cone Woolly Bugger olive 6
Zonker black, olive, purple 6
rubber legged stone black, brown, olive 6
Meg A Egg Sucking Leech orange, pink, chart 4
Krystal Bugger olive, black, brown 6
Egg sucking leech black 4
Fish Skull buggers black, white 6

Steelie Omelet

Hook into a monster with these attractive steelhead egg flies.

2.49

Item #7T5Y

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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 end of the river.

Best Access:

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