Fishing the Salmon River in Pulaski, New York – On The Water
Cutting through 17 miles of Oswego County, New York, beginning at the Lighthouse Hill Reservoir in Altmar, the Salmon River is known across the Northeast, and the country, as a prime destination for trout and salmon. The strong runs are bolstered by the Altmar Fish Hatchery, along with a healthy amount of natural reproduction, and along with more than 12 miles of public access for anglers, makes it one of the greatest fisheries within road-tripping distance of Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.
What species of fish run the Salmon River?
The largest draw at the Salmon River is the king salmon. With the average fish heavier than 10 pounds and fish weighing more than 30 pounds possible, the opportunity to catch a large, hard-fighting fish while wading or casting from a drift boat, draws anglers from all around the country. The Great Lakes record king salmon, a 47-pound, 13-ounce fish, was caught on the Salmon River.
Coho salmon also run the salmon river, with most fish in the 6- to 8-pound range, though larger fish are caught every year. In fact, the world record coho salmon (33 pounds, 4 ounces) was caught in the Salmon River in 1989.
Steelhead are the next most popular species on the Salmon River. These large rainbow trout spend most of the year in Lake Ontario, feeding and growing, before returning to the Salmon River to feed and spawn. Salmon River steelhead range from 3 to 15 pounds, and are revered for their strong fights and acrobatic nature.
The Salmon River has a fair run of brown trout. While some of the western Lake Ontario tributaries get stronger runs of browns, every year, large brown trout, fish of 8 pounds or larger, move into the Salmon River to feed and spawn.
There’s a small number of Atlantic salmon that run the Salmon River. The river was originally named for the Atlantic salmon, as Lake Ontario has a native population of these fish before pollution in the spawning tributaries. A stocking program at the Altmar Hatchery has had limited success in re-establishing an Atlantic salmon run.
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.
While the Salmon Run dries up in November, steelhead continue to move into the river throughout December, January, and February before spawning in the March and April and returning to the lake by May. The chance to catch the hard-fighting steelhead keeps fishermen fishing the Salmon River right through the winter. Spring can also be a productive time to catch steelhead, as after spawning, the fish are hungry as they swim back downriver.
Where is the best place to fish on the Salmon River?
There is more than 12 miles of public access along the Salmon River, many with parking areas that are able to accommodate large numbers of vehicles. Popular areas include the Town Pool, the Schoolhouse Pool, the Trestle Pool, and Black Hole. There are also two, fly-fishing-only sections at the upper-most sections of the river, the Upper Fly Zone and the Lower Fly Zone.
Runs of salmon typically move up the river, settling in deeper holes to rest before continuing upstream. Therefore, the best locations can change day-to-day. Anglers will arrive at the river well before sunrise to secure the most productive spots.
Steelhead too hold in these deeper holes, especially in the winter, but will move into shallower riffly areas to feed and spawn.
Fishing spots along the Salmon River in Pulaski and Altmar are well posted by the state, and maps are available to show the fishing locations and access points.
What tackle is used at the Salmon River?
Anglers at the Salmon River use a mix of fly-fishing, spinning, and float-fishing (centerpin) tackle.
Fly-fishermen use rods of 8- or 9-weight for salmon fishing, and 6- or 7-weight for steelhead and brown trout fishing. Nymphing is the most productive tactic, as fly-fishermen dead-drift their offerings along the bottom. Anglers use floating lines, split-shots, and sometimes an indicator, to achieve a natural drift while fly fishing.
Spinning rod fishermen favor light rods of 8 to 10 feet long, in order to keep their line off the water for a drag-dree drift, and to cushion the leader from the strong fish in heavy current. Spinning reels are spooled with 8- or 10-pound-test monofilament for steelhead fishing, and 10- or 12-pound-test monofilament for salmon fishing.
Some anglers use specialized reels known as centerpins to achieve drag-free drifts when targeting steelhead. These reels are paired with 11- to 13-foot rods, and specialized floats and split-shot arrangements to present the offering at the same speed as the current.
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.
What are the regulations at the Salmon River?
The Salmon River carries special regulations relating to gear, timing, and fish size and bag limits.
For instance, on the Salmon River, fishing from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise is prohibited, however, anglers are allowed to arrive on the river to secure spots during this time.
When constructing a rig for the Salmon River, remember that the distance between the hook, artificial fly or lure, and any weight attached to the line or leader, whether fixed or sliding, shall not exceed four feet. Also, that weight added to the line, leader, swivels, artificial fly, or lure shall not hang lower than the hook when the line or leader is held vertically.
Many of the regulations are intended to limit intentional and unintentional foul-hooking of salmon and steelhead.
Click here for a full list of Current Salmon River Fishing Regulations.
What’s happening at the Salmon River right now?
On The Water provides a weekly report on the fishing at the Salmon River. Fishermen can also monitor the fishing via live webcams operated through some of the area’s tackle shops.
Learn more about the Salmon River:
Source: https://onthewater.com/fishing-the-salmon-river-in-pulaski-new-york
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