Fishing Season: Catch & release areas all year/April 1 - October 15 (Prime: May 5 - October 10)

Saranac River - NY

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

61

Kalil's Upstate Outfitters's Tip of the Week

Pay attention to stealth. Use flourcarbon tippets. Try some warmwater options on this watershed. . .

Directions open in app

Map of Saranac River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

(Ken Kalil) Kalil's Upstate Outfitters

5-Day Outlook as of 9/30/25

Showers just short of the weekend with clouds Saturday, Sunday, evening lows of 43 with Sundays daytime high shooting up to 76.

Techniques & Tips as of 9/30/25

Large streamers fished mid depth.

Local Species Available Catch & release areas all year/April 1 - October 15 (Prime: May 5 - October 10)

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

  • Fish Icon

    salmon

  • Fish Icon

    steelhead

  • Fish Icon

    bass

  • Fish Icon

    pike

  • Fish Icon

    walleye

  • Fish Icon

    and many other species

Kalil's Upstate Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Cone Head Marabou Muddler White 8
Tunghead Stonefly N/A 6
Zug Bug N/A 14
Conehead Bunny Muddler N/A 6
Isonychia N/A 12
Flying ants Black 16
Indicator Parachute - Sulphur N/A 16
Bead Head Brassie™ N/A 14
Daves hopper Yellow 10
Fall caddis or pumpkin caddis N/A 10

Cone Head Marabou Muddler

This muddler fly works well in big rivers and fast streams.

2.99

Item #083T

Buy Now

Kalil's Upstate Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About Saranac River

With two catch, and release areas, plenty of public access, multiple special regulations sections, the Saranac has no lack of angling opportunities. Spoken of in many classic pieces of angling literature dating back to the early 1900's, the Saranac receives little mention today. Often referred to as the little brother to the Ausable. This could not be further from the truth. The Saranac is a mighty river with many faces to show. Beginning its path in the High Peaks a few miles from the headwaters of the Ausable, the Saranac flows through the village of Saranac Lake. With its several hydroelectric dams along its way, the first one beginning in the village of Saranac Lake setting the stage for many wonderful surprises along its path to the mouth of the river at Lake Champlain. Arguably the Saranac has benefited from these dams where often you will find both warm, and cold water species intermingling together. The variety, abundance of food, and feeding habits of fish in the Saranac will bewilder the most seasoned anglers. Big wide pocket water, gentle riffles of a mid size trout stream, slow flats of warm water predators, solitude is not far on this water for both angler, and fish. This is truly a land of solitude for many giant fish that will never see a fly, and this guides favorite waters for sure.

Nearest Airport:

Lake Clear 20 miles Albany 2 1/2 hrs Burlington 2 1/2 hrs

Hatches:

Blue wing olive Isonychia Tan & grey caddis Yellow stones Hoppers Ants

Best Time to Fish:

Mid morning

Best Stretch:

Most trout water from Saranac Lake to the mouth at Lake Champlain is fishing high however fish are very activeat the moment

Best Access:

Rt 3