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.

September 2022 Salmon River NY report

As I write this this river is in good shape for fish movement.  The gauge at Pineville is at 419cfs at a release of 335cfs.  This water is being freshened by a decent amount of rainfall over the last 2 days and water temps are hovering around 60-66 degrees depending on where you're at.

Over the past week there has been a steady movement of salmon into the river, most of the Kings with a few Cohos scattered in.  Throughout the river there is fish moving in small groups, mostly in the morning in low light conditions and this continues until fishing pressure increases.  Most activity as far as hook-ups go is primarily in the 2A to Douglaston area of the river.  If your plans are to work around Pulaski, you should be able to get into fish.

We look forward to this annual event and at this point it looks to be shaping up fairly well.  As reports spread you can anticipate an increase in fishing pressure, as usual, so if you can get here earlier in the run rather than later you should be able to find some water to yourself, or at least less pressured water.

If it's your first-time back stream wading since last year take it slow, no need to get wet right off the bat.

Hope you get the opportunity to come up this year.  It's worth the trip.

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Early September Salmon River NY fishing report

This last weekend ushered in the 'unofficial' start to the salmon season here in Pulaski.  We have had some measurable rain in the past week and a half, so the river is in good condition as far as water flow.  Currently the release is 370cfs with the gauge at Pineville reading 459cfs.  These are respectable flows given that in the past few years they have been considerably lower.  The reservoir is in excellent shape as far as available water so this fall should see good flows on the Salmon River.

As to be expected, and as confirmed by various reports locally, the salmon run is trickling in as usual for this time of year.  One source reported a movement of Cohos but most fish moving into the river are Chinooks.  One interesting bit of information on these early fish is that, over the past few years, these have been wild fish, fish spawned in the Salmon River itself.  These fish have been our early runners over the past 6-7 years and have been on the larger size, 25-30lbs.

Early run King salmon.

If you are looking for salmon for the table this is the time to fish for them.  These early September to late September fish are fresh and good table fair.  Once they set up on the spawning reds they have started to degenerate and will soon die, not anything I would want to eat.  I do most of my fishing for table fair right now, I am ever building a smoker for this year's fish and venison.  See how that turns out.

Well, the moon is a full moon tomorrow and by the next full moon we will be at the peak of the salmon run. From now until then this is the absolute best time to fish the salmon run.   Don't miss out on this annual event, it only happens once a year.  See you on the river.

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Salmon River estuary for Pike

 Rowed the drift boat around the estuary just over a week ago.  I was fishing with a good friend, Carlton Schumaker.  I met him years ago when I was Pro-staffing for G Loomis, Carlton was one of the sales reps I worked regularly with.  He is now the Eastern Regional rep for Korker boots .  We were fishing with one of Carltons salesmen and Karl and Rick of Pineville Sports Shop.  

The day started out overcast and gradually broke into full sun and blue skies.  Carlton was throwing a huge pike streamer and the other boat was working spinner baits.  Everybody did well!

NICE Chain Pickeral.

First fish for Carlton was the nice Northern Pike

Carlton landed this nice Pickeral pictured above.  He said it was the biggest he's caught, told him to get out of New Hampshire more.  It is not uncommon to catch Pickeral like this in the eastern Lake Ontario areas.  I have caught several Pickeral in this size fishing here and in the St Lawrence River.  Aggressive fish for sure.

The lake fishery here gets most of the publicity and rightly so, it is a tremendous fishery.  But don't overlook the Salmon River itself during the summer as there are excellent opportunities for fish like this.

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Salmon River water forecast

Straight on view of the falls.

 I had an opportunity to take a ride with my wife over to Pulaski about 2 weeks ago, while there we visited the Salmon River falls and was nicely surprised to see it running some good water.  We had been getting fairly heavy rain fronts moving through the area on a weekly basis giving the upper river a good flow.

 

From the lookout abreast of the falls.

We headed on up to the reservoir at Redfield and was surprised at the amount of water, well above full pool.  This is nice to see.  If they stay with minimal flow through the summer, with a few high-water weekends worked in we should have good water for the fall runs.  Currently the flow at Pineville is 281cfs with a 185cfs release.  

Water in the trees around the reservoir

Bass season is in, and the Salmon River reservoir is home to some very nice large and small mouth bass populations.  Most of my fishing for both species is with a wacky rigged senko in black with blue flakes or a Texas rigged trick worm in black.  Early mornings will see a spinner bait or jerk bait working well.  As the weeds grow towards the surface of the water, I use top water plugs, a lot.

Nice 'Largie' on a slow crawled trick worm along a weed edge.

Hope you all enjoy the summer.  The summer and fall fishing prospects look good here on the Salmon River, try to get here and take advantage of it.

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May 5, 2022 Salmon River area report

Spring has been having a hard time getting off the ground here. Our temperatures are seasonal but only 2 nice days in the last week or two. Our snowpack here in the Tug Hills was gone (for the most part) by the end of March, so I was hoping for a fairly easy season for steelhead through April, but frequent heavy rains and a couple of measurable snow falls and the river flows between 4000cfs and 1500cfs (on average) throughout April.  Currently the river is running at 304cfs at Pineville gauge at a 185cfs release.

The spring season mirrored the fall fishing, mediocre at best.  We had some nice fish in the fall but no big numbers that we have become use to.  Even the salmon run was dismal to mediocre, unless you were in Eliss Cove and upper river areas.  Steelhead season, at this point, has quietly faded into dreams of this coming fall's run (fingers crossed).  

A nice State land bird from a few years back.

May 1, saw the start of walleye/pike season statewide.  This is a new arrangement and will continue from here on.  Previous years had seen the start of pike season on the first Saturday in May.  It will be interesting to see what feedback comes of this change being that spring turkey season starts on May 1 also.  I'd bet many guys who are diehard pike fishers, especially walleye, are also diehard turkey hunters.  I for one am in the latter group and would never miss the turkey opener, no matter what.  I turn down guided steelhead trips every year for the turkey opener.

Another beautiful gobbler.

Local trout streams have been receiving modest pressure, probably due to the fact that the streams have only recently dropped and are now easier to wade.  Behind my house the Mad River has just started to see hatches, and as of yet I have not ventured a cast at it.  I will this weekend.  Next week we are expecting temperatures in to the 70s/80s all week so the bugs should start popping in earnest.

I'll try to post regularly from here on out.  Although I enjoy writing and posting to the blog, I have kind of lost focus on it these last few years.  I want to change that.

I am looking forward to the coming Spring and summer, Hope you are too.

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Salmon River Fish Hatchery Improvements

 

The Salmon River fish hatchery's  new fish ladder is almost ready.  Construction crews have been working since last summer to modify the main hatchery drainage plumbing and to remove the old fish ladder that was in need of replacement.  The new ladder is now in place and should be fully operational by the upcoming fall salmon run.

Make sure to include a visit to the hatchery in you fall trip to the Salmon River.

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