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Salmon River Fishing Guide

New York

The Lake Ontario tributary at Pulaski, famous for fall king salmon and winter steelhead.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Salmon River for steelhead, chinook salmon and coho salmon. The best months overall are Aug to Nov. In October, steelhead, chinook salmon and coho salmon are in season, and Pat's Rubber Legs, Egg Pattern and Clouser Minnow are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 60 miles (2 fly, 11 bait and tackle); the closest is Fat Nancy's Tackle Shop in Pulaski, 1 mi away. Check the live USGS flow and water temperature before you head out. Lake Ontario (Oswego) is 21 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Aug to Nov

In October

Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Salmon River Species

Steelhead

Prime Now
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F
M
A
M
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J
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D

Best: Oct to Apr

Chinook Salmon

Prime Now
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: May to Oct

Coho Salmon

Prime Now
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F
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M
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Best: Aug to Nov

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

8 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Egg-Sucking Leech #2-6

    Fly

    Streamer · Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Steelhead

    Shop This Fly

  • Intruder 2 to 4 in

    Fly

    Streamer · Chinook Salmon, Steelhead

    Shop This Fly

  • Pat's Rubber Legs #4-10

    Fly

    Nymph · Steelhead

    Shop This Fly

  • Egg Pattern #8-16

    Fly

    Nymph · Steelhead · Indicator rig.

    Shop This Fly

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Coho Salmon

    Shop This Fly

  • Inline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz

    Lure

    Spinner · Coho Salmon, Steelhead

    Shop This Lure

  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon

    Shop This Lure

  • Cured Salmon Eggs Single or cluster

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Chinook Salmon, Steelhead · Where bait is legal.

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Steelhead

Fly 11 to 13 ft 7 or 8 wt spey or switch rod with a Skagit head and sink tips, or a 10 ft 8 wt single hand rod with an indicator rig.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.

Chinook Salmon

Fly 10 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, sink-tip line, 15 to 20 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 9 to 10.5 ft medium-heavy casting rod, line-counter or levelwind reel, 20 to 30 lb line.

Coho Salmon

Fly 9 to 10 ft 8 wt rod, sink-tip line, 12 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 9 ft medium rod, 3000 spinning reel, 10 to 15 lb line.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Salmon River

Fly Rods

Echo Spey Rod

A two-handed rod for swinging flies across big steelhead and salmon runs.

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Flies

Steelhead Fly Assortment

Egg patterns, leeches, and swing flies for winter runs.

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Fly Lines

Scientific Anglers Sink-Tip Fly Line

Gets streamers down to fish holding deep in current.

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Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 8 wt Fly Rod

An 8 weight handles bass bugs, redfish flats, and wind. The most versatile warmwater and inshore size.

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Fly Reels

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.

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Leaders & Tippet

RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet

Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.

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Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.

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Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Wading Boots

Supportive boots with good grip on slick rock.

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Within 60 Miles

Shops Near Salmon River

Make It a Trip

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