A few things to know

Temporary closure of the Salmon River Lower Fly Zone

With the low water conditions currently the Lower Fly Zone is closed. This closure is expected to remain until October 31 by may open sooner if water flows improve or egg collection is complete. Alternative locations include the Upper Fly Zone above the hatchery and other Lake Ontario tributaries. September 26: free fishing day on National Hunting and Fishing Day

Residents and non-resident can fish with out a fresh water license statewide. This is the perfect time to get out and try your hand at Salmon River fishing. See you on the river. Tight lines

Salmon River report mid-September 2026

 Fishing on the river has picked up in the last week, so has the fishing pressure.  The rain we received last week didn't impact the river flow but did freshen the water out of Trout Brook and Orwell Brook.  This did have an impact on the fish holding in the estuary and downstream.  We have been getting nice movement on the river but have yet to seem any big push of fish upstream.  The river is still at 185cfs release and the gauge at Pineville is at 225-230cfs as I type this.  There are fish throughout the system, most substantial numbers below the Sportsman's Pool, however, you will likely find fish in most any pocket water on up to Altmar.

Paul Meshy with an early morning salmon

The best time to fish these areas is early morning from first light until the sun gets on the runs or until fishing pressure gets too much for them.  The salmon will push out of these areas of pocket water, usually found at the head of runs and move up the next pocket.  Also helping keep the fish moving up the river is the cooler temperatures we've had over the last 3-4 nights, in the mid to upper 40s to mid 50s.  We have also been having overcast day with very little sun light breaking through and that keeps the salmon comfortable. I am mostly fly fishing with clients, and we do well right now with Buggers and Zonkers in black, brown, purple and olive colors.  Tied on size 6-8 salmon fly hooks.  There is not much need for weight right now.  weighting the fly and maybe 1 or 2 small split shot about 2 feet above the fly work well.  I am using 3 feet of 12-16 lb tippet attached to around 6 feet of 20 lb leader, everything monofilament at this point.  

With in about 10 days, we will have a full moon and the full moon at this time of year, later September - early October, has always marked what I consider the peak of the salmon run.  I expect the run to ramp up fairly quick between now and the full moon.  Like last year we may not get the water flows we would like to see, but spawning for a salmon is like when we need to take a dump, we may hold it for a while but eventually you have to go.  The salmon may hang out in the lower river waiting for the ideal water conditions but eventually they are going to run and spawn.

Look forward to seeing you on the river.

Tight lines

September 9, 2026 Salmon River Report

 It's finally raining, at least for the overnight hours.  Here in the Salmon River drainage, we are in a bit of a drought.  As I write this the Salmon River gauge is at 248 cfs at a release of 185 cfs. The Labor Day release of 750 cfs was cancelled but it didn't seem to dampen the enthusiasm for the anglers who showed up to fish. Those who fished from 2A downstream were rewarded with a decent number of fish, not big numbers, but enough to keep their attention.  Areas that are typically fishy this time of the year, Ballpark, Town Pool, Long Bridge and Staircase held some salmon and did not disappoint.

At the end of June the reservoir was in great shape at above full pool.  It gave hope of a water filled Salmon River for the September fishing

Redfield boat launch June 28, 2026

Another view of the launch

One month later on July 24 the water had dropped a good 6 feet and with no rain in the long range forecast it was starting to look bleak

Redfield launch July 24

Just this past weekend, Labor Day the res was down a good 10 feet below June's mark.  The Redfield reservoir is not really deep so it can lose water fast if not regularly replenished.

September 5, at the Launch looking west

The rain right now will have little impact on the Salmon River flow.  You should see a slight bump up in the runoff from Orwell and Trout Brook which is a positive.  The increased flow from these two tribs will push some sediment into the main river and will catch the attention of any salmon hanging out in the estuary and off the mouth of the river and should pull some more fish into the system.  Those already in the river will be more inclined to continue to move upstream.

The best time to fish any section of the river right now is from first light till about 10:30am.  If the day is overcast, then that time frame can be lengthened.  Fish the head of any pools as the fish will be laying there and will start moving upstream at first light through the morning.

Most anglers, whether fly fishing or using gear are fishing flies and egg patterns, the flashier the better.  Leaders and tippets should be in the 12-18 lb range.  For fly rods I would suggest a nine foot 8 wt or 9 wt, nothing lighter and anything heavier is not really necessary.  For Spinning or casting rods use a med/heavy rod and I'd suggest a fairly stiff rod.  You'll need a reel with a strong, smooth drag and 100yds of line, minimum.

Most of the salmon entering the river right now will most likely be naturally spawned fish as has been the cased over the last decade or so.  For some reason the stocked salmon enter later in September and October.  

This weekend the number of anglers here will be 3 or 4 time the number that were here last weekend and going forward this will exponentially increase up to Columbus Day.  But that never stopped anyone so get you gear and come on up to fish the salmon run.  It only happens once a year.

Tight lines.