Smallmouth Bass
Where: boulder runs, bridge shade, pool tails, creek-mouth rock, and lower-river current breaks on Salmon River.
Move: tubes, Ned rigs, small jerkbaits, poppers, and crayfish-colored streamers.
Species guide →Editorial guide from VidOssier
Hook, Line, and Float: Your Complete Beginner's Guide to Great Lakes Steelhead Fishing
Learn float fishing on real Salmon water
Rod, reel, float, and drift — a start-to-finish beginner walkthrough that scales from your first fish to your fiftieth.
Salmon River
Fair
About Salmon River
The Salmon River at Pulaski drains 285 square miles of Tug Hill Plateau into Lake Ontario and is the most famous freshwater steelhead destination in the Great Lakes region -- and arguably the most crowded. The Salmon River Reservoir (Lighthouse Hill Dam) controls flows; the lower 13 miles below the Altmar barrier hold steelhead in serious numbers October through April. Crowds in the prime windows; pre-dawn arrivals get the best water.
September through April with peaks at the late-October fall run, the December-January winter steelhead, and the March-April spring. Managed releases. Plan around weekend crowds. 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 252 CFS, computed from the last several years of USGS gauge readings.
Current conditions (live, updated every 15 minutes): flow 228 CFS, clarity clear. Steelhead Almanac's Guide's Report rates the river FAIR as of this reading.
STORM WATCHING
Expected: 8:00 PM EDT
0.5" rain expected by 8 pm. Gauges still calm.
Flow Rate
228
CFS
Gauge Height
5.34
ft
Water Temp
-
°F
Air Temp
71.9
°F
Clarity
Clear
Wind
🌬 7 mph
SE
Offshore — mouth clean
Last updated: 13 minutes ago (7:30 PM EDT)
Conditions today: Fair. Trending: holding steady. Storm watching.
Flow
Pressure
Air temp, scaled
Rain per hour
Storm pulse window
Hourly flow pending
Confidence: 0.38
Over the last three days, 0.54" of rain landed and the Salmon River answered. Flow climbed from 233 to 256 CFS over 1.0 hours, then started its drop-back. Water temp shifted held steady — that's the storm's footprint. Light rain on the way (0.45"). Storm lifecycle says WATCHING. 0.5" rain expected by 8 pm. Gauges still calm. This is a pre-storm read; conditions can change fast once rain reaches the gauge.
Lookback window Sep 9, 7 pm to Sep 12, 7 pm ET.
Data refresh every 15 min. This is a pattern read, not proof of causation; fish reserve the right to embarrass the spreadsheet.
Flow
Pressure
Air temp, scaled
Rain per hour
Storm pulse window
Hourly flow pending
Over the last three days, 0.54" of rain landed and the Salmon River answered. Flow climbed from 233 to 256 CFS over 1.0 hours, then started its drop-back. Water temp shifted held steady — that's the storm's footprint. Light rain on the way (0.45"). Storm lifecycle says WATCHING. 0.5" rain expected by 8 pm. Gauges still calm. This is a pre-storm read; conditions can change fast once rain reaches the gauge.
Lookback window Sep 5, 7 pm to Sep 12, 7 pm ET.
Data refresh every 15 min. This is a pattern read, not proof of causation; fish reserve the right to embarrass the spreadsheet.
| Gauge | Flow (CFS) | Height (ft) | Water Temp | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River at Pineville (primary) | 228 | 5.34 | - | 13 minutes ago 7:30 PM EDT |
| N Branch Salmon River at Redfield | 67 | 1.41 | - | 13 minutes ago 7:30 PM EDT |
Guide's Report
Based on current conditions as of Sat, Sep 12 at 7:30 PM EDT (13 minutes ago)
Running 228 CFS, water is clear. Bring patience and low expectations — you might surprise yourself. Visibility is high. Stealth is your best friend. Increased activity — falling pressure. Rain Is Just Commitment Weather.
Salmon River
Today's Weather: Poor
79° 83% rain
S 8mph
Coming up: Chance Rain Showers
Flow Rate
0
CFS
·
5.34
ft
8th percentile · Very Low
Summer mode - skinny but moving
24h trend
—
-2.5%
Summer fishability window
232–240 CFS
Current-month middle flow band for warm-water fishing
72h movement
falling (-9.5%)
Distance
skinny but moving · 5.34ft
Low water — projection flat
Clouds
· 72°F
· SE 7mph
29.94" →
Guide says:
Running 228 CFS, water is clear. Bring patience and low expectations — you might surprise yourself. Visibility is high. Stealth is your best friend. Increased activity — falling pressure. Rain Is Just Commitment Weather.
"Indicator Dipped, Heart Stopped"
Flow is low — fish are stacked in the deepest pools and runs. Approach carefully, they spook easy.
Clear water — steelhead can see everything, including you. Long leaders, lighter tippet (6lb fluoro), natural colors. Stay low and approach from downstream.
How to Fish It
Fly Selection
Clear water demands subtlety. Natural egg colors (Oregon cheese, pale peach), small stonefly nymphs (#12-#14), and pheasant tails. 6lb fluorocarbon tippet max.
Where to Fish
Low water concentrates fish. Target the deepest pools, undercut banks, and bridge pools. Steelhead will be stacked — find one, there's more. Tread lightly, they spook.
Storm Context
STORM WATCHING
0.5" rain expected by 8 pm. Gauges still calm.
Rain is forecast within the next 1 hours. Gauges may look innocent right now, but expect movement around 8:00 PM EDT.
- - Fish before the rain window if you are going.
- - Bring rain gear and keep an eye on radar.
- - Re-check the gauge before committing to a longer drive.
What's Coming
Heavy rain is incoming — fish NOW. Current conditions are fishable but the river will blow out. This is your window.
Rigs to consider right now
Match the current report to a setup
Centerpin Sucker Spawn Rig
Presents small egg patterns naturally through clear, pressured water where drift quality matters.
Advanced
Indicator Nymphing Rig
Suspends nymphs at a repeatable depth while giving you a visible take signal.
Intermediate
River Float Rig
Keeps a natural offering drifting at the same pace as the current instead of dragging behind your line.
Beginner
Spey & Swing Rig
Covers water efficiently when fish are willing to move for a broadside fly.
Intermediate
Fall river plan
Salmon River summer fishing targets
Use the current flow, clarity, and sky conditions to choose the target. Summer fish usually reward shade, structure, and low-light timing.
Walleye
Where: lake mouths, harbor edges, deeper summer basin water, and low-light shoreline structure on Salmon River.
Move: crawler harnesses, crankbaits, jigs, and evening presentations near moving water.
Species guide →Panfish
Where: docks, weed edges, ponds, marina slips, brush, and shaded shoreline structure on Salmon River.
Move: small jigs, waxworms, micro poppers, and slip floats for kids or fast action.
Species guide →Northern Pike
Where: cooler weed edges, connected backwaters, tributary mouths, and ambush lanes on Salmon River.
Move: spinnerbaits, spoons, jerkbaits, and quick releases when water warms.
Species guide →Current read
Clarity is clear. Overall rating: Fair for steelhead. Use the graph below to time falling or stabilizing flows before committing a trip.
Summer FAQ
What can I fish for on Salmon River in summer?
Focus on the warm-water species shown above, then use the live flow, clarity, and temperature read to choose shade, rock, current breaks, creek mouths, lakefront structure, and low-light windows.
Steelhead care
Should I target steelhead on Salmon River in summer?
Usually no. When water is warm, shift to smallmouth, walleye, panfish, pike, or another summer target instead of pressuring stressed trout.
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7-Day Flow & Temperature
Flow distribution
1095-day history · n=1,911 · 83% confidence
Now vs history
272 CFS below optimal
Optimal window
500–1,500 CFS
Per-river researched optimal range
Typical range
236–260 CFS
25th–75th percentile
Seasonal context:
Current flow is below typical for September.
September median on this river: 236 CFS
(n=271 hourly samples).
Clarity vs flow ranges
Steelhead Green
likely now
236–267 CFS typical
Low:
Below typical — fish may be hugging deeper runs.
Sample quantiles
|
Theoretical line
Good fit (86%)
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 steelheadalmanac.com/u/you.
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No angler reports yet for Salmon River.
Near Salmon River
Local Fly Shops & Guides
Featured
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.
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30-Day Statistics
Min Flow
224 CFS
Max Flow
320 CFS
Avg Flow
239 CFS
Min Temp
-
Max Temp
-
Avg Temp
-
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: Tuesday — Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
Wednesday 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.
Today — Angler's Report
poor fishing- Heavy rain expected — river will likely blow out. Fish early before it rises or wait 24-48 hours after for the drop.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
This Afternoon:
Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind around 8 mph.
Tonight:
A slight chance of rain showers between 7pm and 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 9pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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
Sunday:
A chance of rain showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Sunday Night:
A chance of rain showers before 11pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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
Monday:
Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind around 9 mph.
Monday Night:
Mostly clear, with a low around 44. East wind 1 to 5 mph.
Tuesday — Angler's Report
good fishing- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Tuesday:
Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph.
Tuesday Night:
A slight chance of rain showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind 6 to 9 mph.
Wednesday — Angler's Report
good fishing- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Wednesday:
A slight chance of rain showers before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Wednesday Night:
A slight chance of rain showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Thursday — 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
Thursday:
A slight chance of rain showers before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night:
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
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
Friday:
A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night:
A slight chance of rain showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Forecast via NWS, updated 2 hours ago (5:02 PM EDT). Fishing ratings are estimates based on weather — always check current river conditions.
Recommended Gear
Clear water + low water — finesse tippet and natural patterns first.
RIO Products Fluoroflex Bonefish Tapered Leader - 100% Fluorocarbon Fly Fishing Leader for Saltwater Species - Abrasion Resistant - Available in 8lb, 10lb, 12lb, 16lb, and 20lb
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Rio Products Fly Fishing Tippet, Fluoroflex Strong Leader, 100% Fluorocarbon for Trout, 30YD Spool
$17.99
RIO Products Fluoroflex Freshwater Tippet - 100% Fluorocarbon, Medium-Stiff Leader for Steelhead, Salmon, Trout, and Bass - Abrasion Resistant - 25 or 30 yd Spool, 0X-20lb Sizes
$13.99
M MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Fluorocarbon Fly Fishing Tippet Material Leader Line -Virtually Invisible - 55yards 0X-6X (Made in Japan)
$8.99
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More on Salmon River
Recent Storm Events
- September 5-7 New York (Lake Ontario) & Ohio Storm — Sep 5, 2026
- August 30 - September 1 Alley Storm — Aug 30, 2026
- August 26-29 Alley Storm — Aug 26, 2026
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From the Archive · Rivers
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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...
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