Salmon River
FairAbout Salmon River
Salmon River is a Lake Ontario tributary in New York, draining a 285-square-mile watershed. The river is part of the Lake Ontario steelhead and salmon fishery — distinct from Steelhead Alley but sharing the same species mix. Stocking and regulations are managed by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NY DEC).
The optimal fishing flow on Salmon River is 500–1,500 CFS — flows above this range are typically too high and stained, flows below run low and clear. The river's long-term median flow is approximately 1,410 CFS, computed from the last several years of USGS gauge readings. Steelhead enter the river from late September through early May, with peak runs typically in October–November and February–April.
Current conditions (live, updated every 15 minutes): flow 295 CFS, clarity clear. Steelhead Addiction's Guide's Report rates the river FAIR as of this reading.
Last updated: 15 minutes ago (6:00 AM EDT)
| Gauge | Flow (CFS) | Height (ft) | Water Temp | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River at Pineville (primary) | 295 | 5.55 | - | 15 minutes ago 6:00 AM EDT |
| N Branch Salmon River at Redfield | 52 | 1.33 | - | 15 minutes ago 6:00 AM EDT |
Guide's Report
Based on current conditions as of Wed, Jun 3 at 6:00 AM EDT (15 minutes ago)
Report generated 6:15:05 AM EDT
Running 295 CFS, water is clear. Not ideal, but persistent anglers find fish. Visibility is high. Stealth is your best friend. My Screen Time Report Is All River Gauges.
Flow is low — fish are stacked in the deepest pools and runs. Approach carefully, they spook easy.
Clear water — ideal for visual hunters like smallmouth. Long leaders, natural colors, and finesse presentations like drop-shots will produce.
How to Fish It
Clear water demands finesse. 6-8lb fluoro, natural colored tubes (watermelon, green pumpkin), 3-inch drop-shot worms, or small swimbaits.
Target boulder runs, bedrock pools, bridge pilings, and shaded banks where river smallies find cover.
What's Coming
No rain in the forecast — flows will continue to drop. Fish deep pools and slow runs where smallmouth stack up in low water.
Summer Species on Salmon River
Beyond steelhead — species actively targeted in Great Lakes tributaries right now.
Email me when Salmon River drops into shape
Get a one-line note the day flow + clarity dial in. No spam, just fishable conditions.
Free. One-click unsubscribe in every email.
You're on the list.
We'll email you the moment Salmon River hits fishable flow + clarity. Tight lines.
7-Day Flow & Temperature
Flow distribution
1095-day history · n=2,233 · 85% confidence
Points on the dashed line mean the river's flow distribution is log-normal. Bows at the tails suggest multiple flow regimes (snowmelt vs rain events) or sensor artifacts. The math for this river uses log-space statistics, so a poor fit here is a reason to squint at the optimal zone.
Recent Angler Reports
Join to PostBeen on the Salmon River? Share your report.
Log catches, track your season, and help other anglers dial in current conditions. Your public angler profile lives at steelheadaddiction.com/u/you.
- Always free
- All 31 Alley rivers
- 30 seconds to join
No angler reports yet for Salmon River.
Near Salmon River
Fox Hollow Lodge
Altmar, NY · 2 mi
Streamside lodge on the upper Salmon River in Altmar. Cabins and guide service for steelhead and salmon anglers.
Malindas Fly and Tackle Shop
Altmar, NY · 2 mi
Fly and conventional tackle on the upper Salmon River. Fly tying materials and deep local stream knowledge.
Salmon River Fish Hatchery
Altmar, NY · 4 mi
NYS DEC hatchery where steelhead and salmon are raised. Open to the public — see the fish firsthand.
Fat Nancys Tackle Shop
Pulaski, NY · 4 mi
Well-known Salmon River tackle shop. Live bait, custom rigs, stream conditions, and lodging info.
Salmon River Falls
Orwell, NY · 5 mi
110-ft waterfall within a 112-acre DEC unique area. Spectacular frozen falls in winter.
Salmon River Sports Shop
Pulaski, NY · 5 mi
Expert advice and tackle since 1972. Pulaski's go-to salmon fishing store for over 50 years.
Plan your trip to Pineville
Booking.com hotels & rental cars — affiliate links support the site at no extra cost.
Sponsored · Booking.com
Hotels & rentals near Pineville
Compare availability and prices on the same inventory you'd see going direct.
Sponsored · Booking.com
Flying in? Compare rental cars
Booking.com aggregates the major brands at nearby airports.
No results found nearby.
Places data powered by Google Maps. Results cached for 7 days.
30-Day Statistics
7-Day Fishing Outlook
Multiple days of heavy rain ahead — expect significant flow increases and muddy water. Plan trips for windows between rain events or 1-2 days after.
Best day to fish: Friday — Light rain will bump flows slightly and give overcast skies — steelhead feed aggressively in these conditions.
Friday is the day before rain moves in — barometric pressure drop often triggers aggressive feeding. Don't miss it.
Daily Fishing Forecast
Weather-based daily ratings — independent of current river flow. A "good" forecast day can still mean a blown-out river. Cross-reference with the Guide's Report above for a complete picture.
Overnight — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Dry conditions — flows should remain stable. Good day to target tailouts and runs.
NWS Forecast Detail
Wednesday — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Dry conditions — flows should remain stable. Good day to target tailouts and runs.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Thursday — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Dry conditions — flows should remain stable. Good day to target tailouts and runs.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Friday — Angler's Report
good fishing- Light rain will bump flows slightly and give overcast skies — steelhead feed aggressively in these conditions.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Saturday — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Moderate rain will push flows up. Water may get stained to muddy — switch to bright flies and heavier weight.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Sunday — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Moderate rain will push flows up. Water may get stained to muddy — switch to bright flies and heavier weight.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Monday — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Dry conditions — flows should remain stable. Good day to target tailouts and runs.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Tuesday — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Dry conditions — flows should remain stable. Good day to target tailouts and runs.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Forecast via NWS, updated 1 hour ago (5:04 AM EDT). Fishing ratings are estimates based on weather — always check current river conditions.
Clear water + low water — finesse tippet and natural patterns first.
RIO Products Fluoroflex Strong Tippet, 100% Fluorocarbon Fly Fishing Tippet for Trout, Abrasion Resistant, Strong, & Knot Friendly, 100yd Guide Spool
$44.99
Trout Magnet Phantom Fluorocarbon Leader - Ultra-Invisible, 100% Fluorocarbon Clear Leader Line (Tippet) for Trout & Clear Water Fishing - 50 Meter Spool
$7.95
SF Clear Fluorocarbon Tippet Line Fly Fishing Tippets Leaders Trout 75M 100M 0X 1X 2X 3X 4X 5X 6X 7X
$8.79
RIO Products Fluoroflex Strong Tippet, 100% Fluorocarbon Fly Fishing Tippet for Trout, Abrasion Resistant, Strong, & Knot Friendly, 100yd Guide Spool
$44.99
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
From the Archive · Rivers
The Salmon River
Lake Ontario's flagship salmonid fishery — four anchor species, an eight-month season, and the model the Alley towns scaled down from.
The Salmon River is the most consequential salmonid tributary in the Great Lakes basin. Strictly Lake Ontario, not Alley — but the program apparatus, the angling community, and the lessons all overlap...
Read the chapter →
