The Salmon River in New York is world-renowned for its incredible salmon fishing. Located in Oswego County this majestic river is home to large populations of Chinook, Coho, and Atlantic salmon that make annual spawning runs each year. For anglers looking to catch hard fighting salmon on spinning, casting or fly gear the Salmon River offers world-class fishing opportunities.
In this complete guide, we will cover everything you need to know about salmon fishing in the Salmon River including:
- The best times of year to catch salmon
- Salmon species and runs
- Tackle and gear
- Fishing methods and techniques
- Productive salmon fishing spots
- Salmon fishing regulations
- Tips from experienced anglers and guides
So let’s get started!
When is the Best Time to Catch Salmon in the Salmon River?
Salmon enter the Salmon River from Lake Ontario throughout the year, but the peak seasons are spring and fall when the major runs occur:
Fall Salmon Runs
The fall run starts in late August with small numbers of Chinook and Coho salmon entering the river. The run peaks in late September into October when large schools of salmon migrate upriver to spawn. This is the most popular time to catch salmon as their numbers are highest.
Spring Salmon Runs
Steelhead and some late-run brown trout start to come into the Salmon River in April and keep coming until May. This makes for great fishing.
While fall offers the best salmon fishing, you can potentially catch salmon in the river throughout the year by targeting smaller runs of Atlantic and Skamania salmon that enter the river in the summer months.
Salmon Species in the Salmon River
There are three main salmon species that run the Salmon River:
Chinook (King) Salmon
- Fall Run: September to November
- Average Size: 15-25 lbs
- New York State Record: 47 lbs
Chinook, also known as king salmon, are the most pursued salmon species here since they have the largest fall spawning run.
Coho Salmon
- Fall Run: Mid-August to December
- Average Size: 8-12 lbs
- New York State Record: 33 lbs
Smaller than kings but great fighters and very aggressive takers of lures and flies.
Atlantic Salmon
- Summer/Fall Runs: June to October
- Average Size: 10-20 lbs
An incidental catch for anglers but a special prize. Populations are much smaller than Pacific salmon.
Salmon Fishing Tackle and Gear
The Salmon River holds large salmon that require heavier gear than your typical trout setups. Here are some guidelines for salmon fishing tackle:
Rods:
- 8-9ft medium-heavy power, fast action rods rated for 10-20lb test line. For steelhead, lighter 7-8ft medium power rods can be used.
Reels:
- Quality reels with smooth, powerful drags in the 3000-5000 size range. Use a gear ratio of 6.2:1 or higher for lure fishing.
Line:
- 10-20lb test braided line or monofilament. For fly fishing, integrated sink tip lines make good salmon/steelhead lines.
Lures/Flies:
- Spinners, spoons, plugs/crankbaits, egg sacs, woolly buggers and streamers all produce salmon. Match lure sizes to water clarity.
Hooks:
- Single hooks only. No treble hooks allowed during fall salmon runs. Use stout hooks – 2/0 to 5/0 for lures.
Nets:
- Long-handled nets with a hoop of at least 20 inches make landing salmon much easier.
Waders/Boots:
- Bring waders and cleated, felt-soled boots for walking slippery stream bottoms. Chest waders with boots built in are ideal.
Salmon Fishing Methods and Techniques
There are several effective techniques for hooking into Salmon River salmon:
Casting Lures
Casting spinners, spoons, plugs allows covering water to find aggressive salmon. Target fish holding spots and current seams.
Drift Fishing
Use a float/bobber to drift egg sacs, beads, flies/nymphs through salmon lies. Very effective for indolent fish.
Backtrolling
Slowly backtroll diving plugs against the current using your trolling motor. Allows keeping baits in strike zones.
Fly Fishing
Swing streamers, nymphs and eggs on sink tips to entice reaction strikes from salmon. Use spey rods for better casting.
Still Fishing
Rig up egg sac/bead rigs cast into buckets or pools and let sit. Salmon will pick them up on the hang.
Jigging
Vertical jigging spoons, blades or jigs can be deadly when salmon are holding in holes. Aggressively pop lures off bottom.
Mix up techniques until you find what’s working to put salmon in the net!
Top Salmon Fishing Spots in the Salmon River
The Salmon River is a large river with many access points and diverse fishing spots. When targeting salmon, focus efforts on these productive stretches:
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Pineville Pool: Holds salmon migrating past the town of Pulaski with pocket water, long pools and several islands. Great holding water and spawning lies. Public access along Route 13.
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Longbridge Pool: Big bends and buckets below Salmon River Falls hold salmon. Public fishing easements along County Route 22 provide access.
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Douglaston Salmon Run: Considered the premier water on the river. 5 miles of access to the best holes and runs, but use comes with a price tag.
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Trestle Pool: Fast flowing straightway with nice bank access. Look for salmon holding behind large mid-stream boulders.
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Compactor Pool: A large deeper stretch that produces kings throughout the season. Public fishing rights easements provide good bank access.
There are also a number of smaller pools, riffles and runs that can produce salmon scattered throughout the river.
Salmon River Fishing Regulations
When salmon fishing the Salmon River, be sure to follow these rules and regulations:
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A valid New York State fishing license and Inland Trout stamp are required to fish the river.
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Single point, barbless hooks only. No treble hooks are allowed.
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Night fishing is prohibited between 2 hours after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.
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There is a daily limit of 3 salmon or trout combined with a possession limit of 6.
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Minimum size limits – Coho salmon: 25 inches – Chinook salmon: 30 inches.
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Use of nets is prohibited except landing nets up to 30 inches.
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Be aware of sections only accessible to fly fishing and designated as catch and release.
Know the regulations to avoid fines and keep your Salmon River fishing privileges.
Tips for Salmon Fishing Success
To maximize your chances at hooking salmon on your Salmon River trip, keep these tips from experienced anglers in mind:
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Fish early and late around dawn and dusk when salmon are most active.
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Target staging areas like river mouths and pools early in the season. Salmon run hardest in riffles and rapids when spawning.
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Pay close attention to water flow. Salmon activity spikes with increases in flow.
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Set up in drifts and runs where salmon have to stop and rest. They are more apt to strike when holding.
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Make repeated drifts through productive lies. Persistence pays off for salmon.
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Try lots of different lures and flies. Switch up until you find what triggers strikes.
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Use brighter lures and larger profiles in off color water. Pick natural colors in clear water.
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Beef up your gear. Salmon put up bruising fights – don’t be under-gunned.
Apply the tips above to experience amazing salmon fishing on one of the country’s premiere salmon rivers!
When is the best time to fish the Salmon River?
There are year-round fishing opportunities on the Salmon River, but peak season runs from September to December. This is when king and coho salmon ascend the river to drop their eggs and spawn. Alongside the salmon, brown trout also run the river in the fall, to feed and spawn themselves. To take advantage of the rich bounty of salmon eggs, steelhead, large also run the river beginning in October.
What lures, flies, and baits are used at the Salmon River?
When king and coho salmon run up the Salmon River in the fall, they are not interested in feeding, but will strike out of aggression. Anglers use brightly colored Estaz salmon egg imitations or streamers to trigger salmon to strike. Fishermen also have success using inline spinners and crankbaits fished across or against the current.
Steelhead and brown trout arrive at the river hungry, first looking to eat loose salmon eggs. Therefore egg-imitating flies and beads are effective. Fishermen also have good luck using egg sacs, a few salmon eggs bundled up in a colorful mesh. Regionally popular colors include blue, purple, pink, and peach. Steelhead that spend the river will also eat stonefly nymphs, caddis pupae, and baitfish imitations. In the springtime pink soft-plastic worms, San Juan worm flies, or even live nightcrawlers can be effective.
Salmon River Fishing Basics | beginners guide to the salmon river in Pulaski NY
FAQ
FAQ
What is the best bait for salmon in the river?
Salmon eggs are the top choice for bait, although sand shrimp are very popular for chinook salmon. Some anglers like to fish both at the same time. Marabou jigs (Photo 10) can be used instead of bait and can be especially effective on pink salmon, or other salmon when the water is very low and clear.
How do you catch salmon on the Salmon River?
Use a strong knot like a snell and use 15lb leader. A more natural drift will help you catch salmon as well. Add a float, matching weight, and a longer leader about 4′. You should set the depth just above the bottom of the river. As the float goes down the river it will be more natural for longer.
Where to fish on the Salmon River in NY?
- Pulaski. We’re starting with a big one, and deservedly so. …
- Pineville. Working our way up the river, Pineville is the heart of Steelhead country. …
- Altmar. …
- Salmon River Reservoir. …
- Port Ontario and the Great Lake.
What time of day is best for Salmon River fishing?
Can I catch king salmon during the day? Yes, but it’s more challenging. Early morning and late evening are far more productive times to fish for king salmon. 4.Jan 24, 2025
Where to fish for salmon in New York?
The Salmon River in New York is the most renowned salmon fishing hotspot in the Eastern United States. The river is famous among anglers who visit to fish for the big Coho and King Salmon, which run the river annually.
Do you need a guide for salmon fishing in New York?
Salmon fishing can be even better if you hire a guide. Salmon fishing on the Salmon River in New York can be so good that people from all over the country will visit the area during the two-month window known as the salmon run. Salmon fishing consists of the prized Chinook salmon, Coho Salmon, and some Atlantic salmon.
When is the best time to fish for salmon in New York?
It can get pretty cold standing in the middle, or on the shore of, a river in November in northern New York, so we try to get our salmon fishing done towards the beginning or middle of the season. Watching the salmon jump is pretty exciting, and there is nothing better than watching another angler catch one – or catching one yourself!
How do you catch salmon in the Salmon River?
The salmon in the Salmon River, like many of the Great Lakes rivers, will hit the same lures and colors and with the same lure fishing methods, which you can see on my page Lure Fishing For Great Lakes River Salmon. Fly fishing is another excellent method for catching salmon on the Salmon River.
Can you catch Atlantic salmon on the Salmon River?
Even the rare Atlantic salmon can be caught on the Salmon River. Thanks to ongoing stocking efforts of Atlantic Salmon, frequent catches now occur, and occasionally, anglers will catch Atlantic Salmon up to 20 pounds. The Salmon River flows from New York’s Finger Lakes region through Pulaski City into Lake Ontario.
When can you catch salmon in Ontario?
You can find salmon running the Salmon River and other nearby rivers beginning in late August or early September. Most of the salmon that will run have come upstream from Lake Ontario by late October, though you might still see salmon as late as the first week of November. The weather is best for salmon fishing during September and early October.