Salmon River Fishing Report 2026 Pulaski NY | Steelhead

Salmon River Fishing Report

By Randy Jones, The Yankee Angler — Publisher of Salmon River Steelhead & Salmon Fishing Reports

Enjoy my real-time updates on our year-round fishery here in Upstate New York covering the peak fall, winter, and spring seasons in Pulaski.
Whether you prefer float fishing, spin fishing, or fly fishing, you will find current Salmon and Steelhead river conditions, expert tactical tips, and instructional videos right here.

I hope you find these updates both entertainingly informative and mildly educational.
They are built on 35 years of professional guiding experience and more than 2,000 drift boat trips.

Steelhead Fishing Salmon River NY.

Steelhead fishing on the Salmon River in Pulaski, NY kicks off every October and delivers incredible action all winter long.
The Steelhead fishing continues straight through February, March, and April, making spring another prime time.

Fall 2026 Salmon River Fishing Report | Pulaski, NY

Last Updated: October 28, 2026

Steelhead run updates, Current Salmon River conditions, Expert fishing tips, from 35-year Pro Guide Randy Jones.

Welcome back to the SLAMMIN Salmon River in Pulaski, NY for your latest fishing report!

Most of the King and Coho Salmon are on the gravel spawning, with fresh daily runs of Steelhead and Brown Tout.

As a BONUS, this peak spawning action naturally draws in hungry, hard-fighting Steelhead and lake-run Brown Trout.
With Salmon dropping TONS of eggs in the River. It will become an “All You Can Eat Smorgasbord” for your Fall Steelhead and Brown Trout.

Pro Guide Insider Tip: No matter your fishing preference, 99% of us use something egg related. Either real eggs or egg imitations.

CURRENTLY: We have mostly King and Coho Salmon in the river. With MORE Brown Trout and Steelhead.
1. We have some Steelhead staging at the mouth of the Salmon River and also the estuary.
2. With some in transition, running the rapids – Daily.
3. Some holding in their mid-day resting spots – Daily.
4. With MOST in their Prime Fall Habitats due to the water temperature being above 43 degrees.

Pro Guide Insider Tip: Target anywhere the water is rippled, choppy, or white, NOT flat.

FALL STEELHEAD AND BROWN TROUT FISHING

PLEASE REMEMBER: Daily Catch Limits – One Steelhead (25″+) and one Brown Trout (15″+) per person per day.

October & November Fall Salmon River Runs

Fall Steelhead arrive to feed on Salmon and Brown Trout eggs, while lake-run Brown Trout peak in November.
* The Steelhead season officially begins as daily runs of fresh fish enter and run the Salmon River.
These silver bullets enter the system to gorge on eggs, to fatten up before winter.
* We will also see the largest numbers of Brown Trout, who will spawn in November.

Trophy Steelhead Action & Acrobatic Runs

Salmon River Steelhead offer blistering silver bullet torpedo-style runs of 100–200 feet in seconds, and explosive, 4 foot tarpon-like jumps. Average weight: 8–10 lbs (Nov–Apr).
Our Steelhead are some of the hardest-fighting and most acrobatic fish swimming in the Salmon River in Pulaski, NY.
Witnessing a hooked Steelhead tail-walk across a pool for 40 to 60 feet creates a memory that will live in your fishing heart forever!

Trophy Brown Trout Opportunities of a Lifetime

Brown trout provide exceptional trophy potential during peak spawning concentrations in October and November (Average size: 3–5 lbs).
You can catch hard-fighting Brown Trout anytime while actively fishing for Steelhead.
While they are not quite as numerous as Salmon or Steelhead, they represent an optional trophy fish of a lifetime!
You always target Steelhead, and hope for a prized Brown.

Winter Steelhead & Resident Brown Trout Drift Boat Fishing

Guiding from a comfortable, heated drift boat makes winter on the water an exceptional experience.
The colder months offer significantly lower crowds and an outstanding population of both acclimated resident and fresh-run Steelhead.

Pro Guide Insider Tip: Keep a close eye on the live water gauges. Whenever the Salmon River water level spikes, fresh Steelhead react immediately to the increased flow.
They use the high water to travel rapidly upriver ahead of their spring spawn, opening up a guaranteed window of angling opportunity.

What causes a Good Run of Steelhead on the Salmon River?

35-year Pro Salmon River Guide Randy Jones—who has led more than 2,000 drift boat trips breaks down the exact environmental and biological secrets behind a GOOD STEELHEAD RUN to help YOU catch MORE fish!

FAQ: What Causes a “Good Run”?
* After 35+ years of guiding, I’ve found that good runs of steelhead occur when three primary factors align:
– High Water Flows: Increased dam releases, heavy rain run-off, or snowmelt give fish the depth and comfort level they need to run the river.
– Extended Low Light: Heavy overcast skies and stormy weather provide the cover they need to travel upriver in large numbers.
– Strong West Winds: This pushes Lake Ontario water directly into the estuary, deepening the entry point and causing the fish to feel safer to run.

Seasonal Triggers to Watch For:
– Steelhead (Year-Round): Any sudden spike in dam water releases immediately pulls fresh Steelhead out of Lake Ontario and into the river.
Or springtime spawning biological clocks, which forces runs up the river to prepare to spawn.

Salmon River Pulaski NY Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When will the first good run of STEELHEAD happen this year on the Salmon River?
A: Here are the Four main triggers:
1. If we get a higher water release from the dam.
2. A significant amount of rain runoff pouring into the river.
3. The fish’s biological spawning clock can force them up the river.
* 4. From Mid. October thru November we always get our first seasonal push of Steelhead, caused by all the Salmon and Brown Trout eggs in the river.

Q: When is the best time for a Salmon River Steelhead drift boat trip?
A: Late fall through the spring brings acrobatic Steelhead and the best time for a drift boat trip is November through April.

Q: When is the absolute best time to go Steelhead fishing in Pulaski, NY?
A: Mid-week is always the best time during the Salmon River season. Avoid fishing on a holiday weekend if you can possibly help it.

Q: Where can I check to see when they will raise the Salmon River water level from its current 185 cfs to the normal 335 cfs?
A: You can monitor the live updates here: Brookfield Renewable Lighthouse Hill Facility. Also, this link gives you real time water levels from the Pineville Water Gauge.

Q: When we get enough rain for them to raise the water level to its normal flow of 335 cfs, could that cause a good run?
A: Sure! From here on out, any increase of water flow levels will cause fish to react to it and run the river. Causing a small run or even a good run.

Q: What normally causes the biggest Steelhead runs of the season?
A: It happens when their biological spawning clock forces them to run into the next stage of their life cycle.

Q: Where is the VERY VERY BEST place to fish?
A: The VERY VERY BEST place to fish, is anywhere I’m not fishing. har har.

Learn to Steelhead fish like a PRO on the Salmon River in Pulaski, NY.

Join the TOP 10% of Salmon River anglers who catch 90% of the Steelhead in Pulaski, NY!

Overall, fishing has been slow for some, but much better for anglers with experience.
They are finding success by focusing on these main strategies – (with 2 of my TOP SECRET rarely published, at the bottom in 5. and 6.)

Click to Unlock These Guide-Level Secrets! Used DAILY by Steelhead, Brown Trout, Chinook King Salmon, and Coho Salmon.

The 2 Steelhead Habitats & Water Column Secrets

A subtle 3 degree water temperature change, can move the BULK of Steelhead from one Habitat to another completely different Habitat. To include where you should target the water column.
  * The Strategy: Discover exactly where in the water column you should be fishing, along with the two prime Salmon River habitats you need to focus on based on current water temperatures.
Maximize your skills by reading my expert secrets and tips in the descriptive text below each video.
  * Video Lesson: Steelhead Habitat & Water Column Secrets

Best Times & Seasons for Steelhead Fishing

The fishing season begins on the river in the Fall, lasting all Winter into Spring (April).
  * The Strategy: Catch MORE Steelhead during the peak Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons.
Maximize your skills by reading my expert secrets and tips in the descriptive text below each video.
  * Video Lesson: Salmon River Steelhead Fishing: Best Times & Seasons Guide

1. Fast-Water Rapids (Low-Light)

Target actively running salmon or steelhead during both low-light periods (early morning and dusk). Where fish rest briefly on current breaks while running upriver.
  * The Strategy: Fish directly behind larger rocks or boulders that feature a slow-water pocket. Also look for depressions or deeper water in these rapids; these pockets act like magnets that hold fish.
Maximize your skills by reading my expert secrets and tips in the descriptive text below the video.
* Video Lesson: Part 1 – Temporary Transitional Resting Spots Explained

2. Master Mid-Day Current Breaks Between (9:30 AM – 5:30 PM)

When bright overhead sunlight hits the water it forces fish to stop their upriver migration.
  * The Strategy: Target deep-water pockets inside rapids or slow-moving runs deeper than 3 feet.
Maximize your skills by reading my expert secrets and tips in the descriptive text below the video.
* Video Lesson: Part 2 – Mastering Mid-Day Holding Locations
After this mid. day break, they will then continue running the river, until they have found a Prime Lye – (Pools). That provide them with everything they need, to satisfy their survival instincts.

3. Long-Term Deep Pool Current Breaks

Where the highest concentration of fish stack up for days, weeks, or months.
  * The Strategy: Target their numerous Prime Holding Current Breaks.
Maximize your skills by reading my expert secrets and tips in the descriptive text below the video.
* Video Lesson: Part 3 – Prime Long-Term Holding Pool Strategies

4. To catch Fish consistently in a Pool, target their Top 3 Holding Locations.

  * The Strategy: Fish the head, gut, and tail of major holes.
Maximize your skills by reading my expert secrets and tips in the descriptive text below the video.
* Video Lesson: Part 4 – Anatomy of a Fishing Hole: 3 Major Core Current Breaks in every Pool
Starting in early October, you will see a mass exodus of Salmon leaving the pools as their biological clocks force them onto the gravel to reproduce.

5. ADVANCED SECRETS REVEALED! MY #1 SALMON & STEELHEAD HOT SPOT LOCATIONS (PULASKI, NY)

This video breaks down the exact formulas used during my professional drift boat guiding trips to locate premium fish concentrations on the Salmon River.
By combining these advanced tactics, you will consistently place yourself in front of the highest numbers of fish for the longest period of time.
* The Strategy: Learn the insider secrets for Steelhead, Salmon and Brown Trout and join the TOP 10% of anglers who catch 90% of the fish.
Maximize your skills by reading my expert secrets and tips in the descriptive text below the video.
* Video: MY Best TOP SECRET Salmon River Steelhead & Salmon Guide Spots (Pt 5) | Pulaski NY

6. Top Secret: “Leap-Frogging” the Steelhead Runs

This technique is used when we have a good push or run of Steelhead.
You can leap-frog the highest concentrations of fish as they traveled upriver, day by day.
The Science: Steelhead run 1 to 3 miles per day.

How Leap-Frogging Works:
* Day 1: The lowest 3 miles of river had just received good numbers of Steelhead.
* Day 2: The Steelhead will then move through Town and into the Ball Park area.
* Day 3: The push will migrate up to the 2A area.
* On Day 4: Fish between 2A and the Sportsman’s Pool to intercept that run.
* Day 5: From Sportsman’s Pool up to Pineville.
* Day 6: Trestle Hole area.
* Day 7: Altmar and into the fly fishing sections.
This daily migration of fish will continue throughout the entire season. If you pick up or go on-line for a Salmon River NY fishing map, these areas will all be on it.
So it might be worth making a note on days and locations, incase you want to Leap-Frog a good push, run or BIG RUN when your up here. To help you Catch MORE Fish!

It’s time for YOU to try for a RARE Fishing GRAND SLAM!

1. For you to achieve a GRAND SLAM = All by yourself in a single day. You land a Brown Trout, Steelhead, Coho Salmon and King Salmon.
Not easy to do, but FUN to try!
Sorry, your WORLD RECORD TROPHY Suckers don’t count. – har har.
Note: – If you are fishing with a friend or friends and you all land one of the above. It’s called a “Combined GRAND SLAM” for 2nd place.
2. For a SUPER GRAND SLAM – Include the above fish and add an Atlantic Salmon.

Local Salmon River Humor: Why, Is Your Fish Dirty?

During the peak of the salmon run, one local fly shop in Altmar puts out about forty different signs explicitly stating they DO NOT clean fish!
Yet, without fail, nearly every single day a clueless angler will trudge through the front door holding a dead salmon, completely oblivious to the signs, and ask the lady behind the counter if they clean fish.
The owner always looks them dead in the eye and asks, “Why, is your fish dirty?”

Fishing for a Salmon River World Record Monster 30lb. Brown Trout?

At one point during the fishing day Bill said, Hey Randy, come here quick. I see a BIG Salmon River Monster Brown Trout.
I walked over and peered into the crystal clear water and looked at what Bill was excitedly pointing at. Look at the size of that one! Bill yelled!

I said, Hmmmm, Bill I don’t see it.
Right there, right off the tip of my rod, don’t you see it? It’s a Monster 30lb. Brown Trout, could be a NEW WORLD RECORD!
As Bill was pointing at it with his rod. I noticed his hands were trembling with excitement. At the possibility of bragging rights to his fishing buddies for years to come. If he was able to catch it?

I said, O, now I see it, yes, that is one of the largest Brown Trout I have ever seen! Could be a NEW Fishing WORLD RECORD! That would be a real nice wall hanger! Bragging rights for years. Boy, wont your fishing buddies be jealous!

Both Chris and I started to snicker. Because what Bill was pointing at was a very dead, severely decaying and Brown in color King Salmon. Just laying happily dead on the bottom of the pool.

We both egged him on and suggested he make a cast for that MONST’A Brown Trout. But shortly there after we explained to him what he was really seeing.
His face turned a little red and we all laughed.
Of course we were laughing with him and not at him. How long you been fishing this river Bill? Had your eye’s checked lately Bill?

Countless people have been guided by me and most (excluding Bill) have gone on to live normal lives.
Be careful out there or YOU could be this Salmon River guides next “Fish Tale”.

TOP 3 WAY’S to avoid exploding your rod on any BIG Salmon or Steelhead, from 35 years of Experience.

#1 Rule – Most common – Rods will easily explode on you when you put your hand ABOVE the cork (hand grip) for extra leverage on the rod blank when fighting a fish.
*** Rods are meant to be flexed fully. So by placing your hand above the cork (hand grip) it isn’t and it will EXPLODE!

Sure, on lil trout you measure by the inch, it’s never broken. But, how about a 30 pound King Salmon. Even a 10 pound Salmon River Steelhead will cause your rod to break – explode if it’s mishandled by you.
Don’t blame the manufacture, its your fault!
These fish are equal opportunity rod breakers. And don’t care how much or how lil you spent on your rod.

2. Check your ferrules thru out the day. (A ferrule is where the pieces of your rod join together). No matter the price you pay for your rod, they do come loose thru out the day. By checking them every few hour’s you should be ok.
If your ferrules are loose. And your rod is doubled over on a BIG Salmon or Steelhead, it will BREAK EVERY TIME.

3. Remember when your rod fell off the roof of your car? Or, got a nick in it from a split shot or lead eyes on your streamer?
Even if you do all of the above, that nick is your weakest link. I will guarantee you, that is where it will break when your fighting a fish.

In Closing,
When you drop your grandma’s finest china on the floor, it breaks. Her china was not made to be dropped on the floor. Your fishing rod is no different.

If you remember that your fishing rod is similar to your grandma’s finest china. And follow rules #1 and #2, you’ll be ok. (Many anglers bring 2 rods when fishing up here).

“Kids” Salmon River Fishing Test.

Ok, you adults can play too. Smarter than a kid? Don’t feel tooooooo… bad if your not, I got them ALL wrong.

1. What do we call a 1 year old Salmon?
2. What do we call a 1 year old Steelhead?
3. What do you call a fishing guide who gives you a test, when ALL you reeeelly wanted was a fishing report? – * No foul language, Please!
Answer’s:
1. Jack.
2. Skipper.
3. Salmon River Guide Randy Jones with over 35 years experience.

It’s Time to Get Your FISH ON!

I hope you found this fishing report both entertainingly informative and mildly educational. It is always a sincere pleasure sharing my 35 years of King Salmon and Steelhead experience with you.
Best Fishes, Randy Jones — Salmon River Drift Boat Guide Service

More from Yankee Angler:

• Meet Randy Jones – Author, Publisher, and Full-Time Salmon River Guide.
• Real Angler Success Stories – See our client testimonials and photos landing massive Salmon, Steelhead, and Brown Trout in Pulaski, NY!

SEASONAL STEELHEAD & SALMON ARCHIVED BLOG REPORTS & ADVANCED FISHING TIPS:

Catch MORE Fall, Winter, and Spring Fish with 35-year Professional Guide Randy Jones—who has led more than 2,000 drift boat trips.

* December 5 (Early Winter Pools): Winter Steelhead Guide

January 6 (Deep Winter River Zones): Winter Best Time Strategies

* January 19 (February Mid-Winter Run): Pulaski NY Fishing Report

* February 14 (Spring Spawning Runs): Steelhead Tactics and Drop back action

Pulaski NY Fishing Photos & Videos | FUN STUFF!

• MONSTER FISH AWAIT YOU! See my clients TROPHY catches in the Salmon River Fish Photo Gallery.
• Salmon River Video Tour: Watch a quick video to Check Out My Drift Boat “Office”.
• Bungee Jumping Humor: I’m the first person to EVER bungee jump off the Long Bridge over the Salmon River in Pulaski, NY!

LOADED with Steelhead!
TOP SECRET (edited) FISHING REPORT.
I went 10 for 15 on Steelhead @ (edited for content) in the afternoon. All were caught using (edited for content).
This morning I fished the (edited for content) and was 15 for 20 on Steelhead using (edited for content).
The last spot I fished was LOADED with Steelhead @ (edited for content). – har har.

DID YOU KNOW?
Teach a man how to fish and you can get rid of him for the entire weekend.
I spend most of my $ on Wild women, Booze and Gambling. The rest is wasted.
If you lie about the size of your fish, I’ll swear to it!

Quick Links & Resources:

• MORE Salmon River Fishing Reports
• Salmon River Drift Boat Trips
• Salmon River Steelhead & Salmon Fishing Details
• Follow Yankee Angler on Facebook
• Watch Salmon River Fishing Videos

Stay tuned for more entertainingly informative and mildly educational reports and articles. On this never-ending fishing trip with your host Randy Jones “The Yankee Angler”.
I sincerely hope that what little I’ve been able to share with you. Will help you along the path to more enjoyable and knowledgeable fishing.

Thanks for stopping in and spending your valuable internet fishing time here! Hope your all enjoying the fishing!
Best Fish’s, Randy

Steelhead Fishing on the Salmon River in Pulaski, NY!

Our Steelhead are some of the hardest-fighting fish swimming in the Salmon River. Imagine silver-bullet torpedo runs, changing direction in the blink of an eye, and screaming out 100 to 200 feet of line in a matter of seconds! It is guaranteed to jump-start your heart.
These fish pull off acrobatic, rocket-ship jumps three to four feet in the air—somersaulting like a juggler’s baton before splashing back down to earth like a falling cinder block, spraying water 20 feet in all directions!
Watching Steelhead “tail-walk” across a pool for 40 to 60 feet will live in your memories forever.

What is the forecast for the upcoming Salmon River Steelhead season?

In short, all signs point to a great year on the water.
We saw good numbers of Steelhead in Lake Ontario this summer, which is a fantastic sign for the river run.
Even better, the DEC’s 25-inch minimum size limit (one fish per person, per day) is going to keep two additional year classes of Steelhead right here in the Salmon River for you to catch!
Last spring, the Altmar Fish Hatchery easily met its egg quota due to an overabundance of returning Steelhead.
Following a strong season last November through April, all signs point to another excellent year.
My forecast? It is going to be another good Steelhead season.

Salmon River Steelhead Fishing: Seasons & Timing in Pulaski, NY

When is the best time to fish for Steelhead on the Salmon River? The truth is, there isn’t just one “best” time.
Because we have healthy runs of Steelhead throughout the Fall, Winter, and Spring, the ideal time to book your trip comes down to your personal preference.
As a general rule for any season: Mid-week trips are always best to avoid the crowds, provided they don’t fall on or around a holiday.

Here is a breakdown of what you can expect on the river from October through April:

Late October: High Opportunity, Low Crowds
I begin guiding for Steelhead at the end of October. At this time of year, most river anglers are still focused on Salmon.
This means fewer people targeting Steelhead and a good opportunity for you to hook into fresh fish with plenty of water to yourself.

November: Peak Action & Hard-Fighting Fish
November brings a massive influx of Steelhead into the river. Because the temperatures are still comfortable, this is the busiest month of the year for Steelhead anglers.
The action is incredible—this is when Steelhead are at their strongest, delivering speeding-bullet runs, tail walks, and acrobatic somersaults.

December: Holiday Solitude
In December, the number of Steelhead in the river continues to grow, but angler numbers drop significantly as people focus on holiday and family commitments.
If you don’t mind the cooler weather, the trade-off is excellent: fewer anglers on the water and more opportunities for you.

January & February: Magical Winter Fishing
The middle of winter can be absolutely magical. Only the most dedicated anglers braving the cold are out on the water.
If you want peace, quiet, and pristine river conditions with plenty of fish holding in the pools, the winter months are tough to beat.

March & April: The Spring Drop-Back Run
Spring brings higher water levels from the seasonal runoff, which pulls the remaining wave of pre-spawn Steelhead into the system.
After they spawn, their appetites are on fire as they slowly drop back down the Salmon River toward Lake Ontario, making for good action and occasional opportunities for sight-fishing.

I hope you enjoyed my Salmon River fishing report! Sharing my 46 years Total of guiding experience and detailed river knowledge with you is always a pleasure.

Ready to get your fish on? Join me aboard my drift boat in Pulaski, NY. We target salmon and steelhead through the fall, winter, and spring seasons. During our trip, you will learn advanced fishing techniques and exact fish habitats to help you succeed on this river for years to come. I always enjoy sharing my wealth of knowledge with my guests—especially if you are planning to fish the river on your own in the future.

Established in 1980, Yankee Angler is a premier guiding service and marketing agency managed by veteran angler Randy Jones. With 46 years of professional fishing experience, Randy has specialized in elite salmon and steelhead excursions across the Salmon River in Pulaski, NY, for the last 35 years—including over 2,000 drift boat trips.

As the owner, author, and publisher of YankeeAngler.com, he provides highly sought-after river reports, tactical guides, and local fishery updates. Beyond the water, Randy leverages his decades of industry expertise into a specialized marketing practice. He designs cutting-edge SEO and social media strategies that fuel his own vastly successful guide business while dedicatedly supporting and growing the local economy.

Contact Information:
Yankee Angler | Randy Jones 11 North Street, Unit 15, Mexico, NY 13114
📞 (315) 963-2065 | 🌐 YankeeAngler.com
Email: [email protected]
BOOK YOUR SALMON RIVER DRIFT BOAT FISHING TRIP IN PULASKI NY.

Spring Steelhead Fishing Salmon River Pulaski NY

The highly anticipated spring steelhead runs are happening right now on the Salmon River in Pulaski, NY. As fresh, lake-run fish begin pushing upriver, March and April officially kick off one of the absolute best times of the entire year to target these silver bullets. If you have been waiting out the winter cold, conditions are looking excellent for an incredible spring trip.

Based on our latest on-the-water observations, the current river population consists of roughly 5% fresh spring run steelhead, 1% actively spawning fish, and 1% early drop-backs. The remaining 93% is a massive bio-mass of older fall and winter steelhead holding in the deeper pools. These percentages will shift rapidly from here on out as water temperatures rise and more fresh spring arrivals enter the system daily.

These dynamic spring runs will continue to push heavy numbers into the river throughout March. By April, the action transitions into “prime” drop-back fishing as spawned-out steelhead aggressively feed their way back downriver toward Lake Ontario. When you add these new pushes to the thousands of fish that have been stacking up in the river system since September, it shapes up to be a spectacular spring season.

Steelhead fishing across the entire river is superb, offering top-tier action from the lower river all the way up to the Altmar fly sections. As an added bonus, trophy-sized lake-run brown trout are consistently mixed into the action. To maximize your hook-up ratios right now, focus on your drift presentations and stick with egg sacks, beads, or egg-mimicking fly patterns, as these fish are 99% dialed in on the spring smorgasbord.

February, March and April Steelhead Fishing Salmon River Pulaski NY

The transition from late winter into the heart of spring offers some of the finest steelhead fishing days on the Salmon River. Driven by ticking biological clocks, fresh waves of spring steelhead steadily push out of Lake Ontario. These incoming runs enter, run, and spread throughout the entire river system in Pulaski, NY, setting up phenomenal multi-stage action.

Through February and March, the bulk of the river’s population holds securely in the deeper winter pools. However, as the seasonal water temperature begins its steady climb, the aggressiveness and metabolism of these fish skyrocket. During this active window, all popular tactics prove highly effective—whether you prefer float fishing, spin fishing, traditional fly fishing, or swinging bugs on a spey rod.

As the entire river system comes alive, anglers have the rare opportunity to target fish in all three phases of the run: hard-fighting pre-spawn, active spawners, and hungry post-spawn drop-backs. While the fish are well-distributed top-to-bottom through March, April shifts the spotlight strictly to the drop-back run. This post-spawn phase provides arguably the best fishing of the spring, as these fish feed voraciously on their way back down to the lake. Peak action runs consistently through the end of April, shifting down to the larger pools of the lower river by early May.

Winter Steelhead Fishing Pulaski NY Report

Winter is one of the absolute best times to go steelhead fishing in Pulaski, NY. With very light angling pressure on the water during the colder months, it opens up incredible opportunities and gives you plenty of productive river sections completely to yourself.

Overall winter conditions remain excellent, driven by fresh waves of chrome steelhead pushing steadily up the Salmon River. Based on my daily guiding observations, roughly 95% of the winter steelhead biomass holds securely inside the deeper river pools, while about 5% are actively transitioning and running upriver. This ensures top-tier fishing opportunities from the lower river all the way up to the upper sections.

Action on the water has been highly rewarding, with some anglers doing great and others working a bit harder for their hook-ups. Higher water flows from recent weather patterns have successfully pulled a clean push of fresh, hard-fighting steelhead into the system. As the winter season progresses, these newly arrived fish will continue to enter, run, and spread throughout the entire river structure.

Today’s River Humor: If you lie about the size of your fish, I’ll swear to it! Also, wouldn’t it be great if we could put ourselves in the clothes dryer for 10 minutes and come out completely wrinkle-free and two sizes smaller?

Pro Guide Insider Winter Tip: If the middle and lower river sections are clear of slush, I highly recommend focusing your efforts there. Very few anglers target these mid-river runs in the winter, leaving behind a population of unpressured, uneducated steelhead that are significantly easier to trick. Conversely, heavy fishing pressure in the upper river pools makes those fish highly educated and far more difficult to fool.

To avoid a wasted trip, it is absolutely vital to understand how overnight freezing temperatures affect winter slush conditions on the main river and local tributaries. For a comprehensive breakdown on how to read the gauges and strategically plan your day, check out my expert article: Salmon River Slush — Planning Your Steelhead Day.

Give your favorite fishing partner or guide a call—these hard-fighting winter fish (averaging a solid 8 to 12 pounds) are stacked up and waiting for you. It is time to bundle up and get your fish on! Sharing my 35 years of professional drift boat guiding experience with you is always a sincere pleasure.

Best Steelhead Fishes,
Randy Jones — Salmon River Fishing Guide

Winter Steelhead Fishing Salmon River Pulaski NY Report

The winter steelhead fishing season across Upstate New York brings some of the most rewarding days of the year for dedicated anglers. From the lower river rapids up to the top fly-fishing zones in Altmar, fresh runs of dime-bright silver steelhead steadily filter into the system. These cold-weather migrations react immediately to changing water levels, utilizing higher flows from seasonal thaws or dam releases to push upriver ahead of their spring spawn.

Unlike the busier autumn months, winter provides a unique advantage with very light angling pressure on the water. This lack of crowding means you can work prime pools thoroughly without being rushed. Succeeding in freezing conditions requires a methodical approach—covering your target water three feet at a time, establishing a clean drift line, and paying close attention to daily water flow gauges to track fish movement.

Winter Steelhead Fishing Pulaski NY

When sub-freezing temperatures hit the Pulaski area, managing main river slush becomes a critical factor for success. If the middle and lower river sections remain clear of floating ice, focusing your efforts downstream can yield exceptional results. Very few anglers target these mid-river sections in the winter, leaving behind a resident population of unpressured, uneducated steelhead that are significantly easier to fool.

Conversely, heavy fishing pressure in the upper river pools quickly educates the fish, making them line-shy and highly analytical. To maximize your hook-up ratios on educated steelhead, rigging adjustments are essential. Switching to premium, 100% fluorocarbon leaders or tippets provides an invisible underwater profile that won’t spook cautious fish. Presentations must be meticulously dead-drifted to perfectly match the speed of the bottom current, ensuring your egg sacks, beads, or winter fly patterns glide naturally through the strike zone.

Winter Steelhead Fishing Salmon River NY

During the peak of winter, roughly 95% of the river’s steelhead biomass holds securely inside the deeper, slower-moving pools to conserve energy and find safety from predators. However, a steady 5% of fresh arrivals remain in transition daily. These moving fish temporarily hold in the rapid current breaks and also their mid-day current breaks between 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM when overhead sunlight stalls their upriver migration. Targeting these overlooked mid-day resting spots right after a water spike is an excellent guide-level tactic.

Additionally, winter thaws, spring rains, and snow runoff create unique bonus opportunities on smaller local creeks and streams surrounding the main river, pulling fresh pods of fish into shallow structures. Whether you are wade fishing the banks or navigating a heated drift boat down the main stem, understanding how water speed dictates holding locations will put you directly into the top 10% of anglers who consistently catch fish all winter long.

Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report Pulaski NY

The early winter season delivers an incredible window of opportunity for steelhead fishing in Pulaski, NY! Fresh waves of chrome-bright steelhead steadily filter into the system out of Lake Ontario on a daily basis. Right now, river populations consist of roughly 80% older, well-acclimated fish holding in prime pools alongside a steady 20% influx of aggressive, newly arrived arrivals distributed from the lower river all the way up to the Altmar sections.

December offers a major strategic advantage for dedicated anglers due to a significant reduction in boat traffic and angling pressure on the water. With many people preoccupied with holiday obligations and colder weather setting in, mid-week drift and wade trips face far less competition, leaving plenty of prime, high-percentage holding spots wide open. Succeeding right now requires shifting focus away from fast lanes and methodically covering slower currents where active fish pool up to conserve their vital winter energy.

This active pattern transitions seamlessly through the winter thaws and culminates in the highly anticipated spring run throughout Febuary and March. Febuary and March delivers an exceptional mix of winter-over survivors and fresh spring arrivals, while April shifts into peak post-spawn drop-back action. As these spawned-out fish aggressively slide back down the river system toward the lake, their elevated metabolisms make them some of the most cooperative and easiest-to-catch steelhead of the entire season.

Steelhead Fishing Salmon River NY

The steelhead fishing season across the legendary Salmon River system delivers spectacular, top-tier action from the lower river boundaries all the way up to the upper fly-fishing sections. Thanks to a massive influx of spawning king and coho salmon dropping millions of eggs, fresh waves of chrome-bright steelhead filter out of Lake Ontario daily. This predictable seasonal food source keeps the entire river active, offering incredible opportunities for both wade and drift boat anglers.

To support high-quality angling opportunities, the DEC enforces a strict tributary creel limit of no more than one steelhead with a minimum size of 25 inches and one brown trout with a minimum size of 15 inches, per person, per day. This crucial conservation change ensures additional year classes of hard-fighting fish stay right here in the river system for you to catch. Backed by excellent production numbers from the Altmar Fish Hatchery, all signs consistently point toward strong river populations throughout the cooler months.

When current river temperatures hold above 43 degrees, active fish hold in faster, well-oxygenated habitats such as rippled water and fast rapids. Conversely, when water temperatures drop below 42 degrees, the bulk of the river’s biomass transitions into deeper holding pools to find safety from predators and conserve vital energy.

Fall Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Pulaski NY

Your autumn steelhead fishing season is shaping up great in Pulaski, NY! Healthy numbers of early-run steelhead are actively filtering into the Salmon River to gorge on dropping salmon eggs. If you are planning a trip, booking right now offers an incredible window of opportunity to hook into fresh, hard-fighting silver bullets before the heavier November crowds arrive on the water.

Currently, the most consistent fall action is concentrated in the lower river structures, with small pods steadily moving up toward the mid-sections. Because the early autumn water temperatures hold above 43 degrees, you should focus your efforts outside of the sluggish pools. Actively migrating fish are using the river’s high-velocity environments—such as choppy runs, broken pocket water, and fast rapids—to track upstream. Wade and drift boat anglers are finding wide-open water with minimal pressure across prime holding areas.

As November approaches, these resident numbers will multiply significantly with daily pushes of lake-run fish. To maximize your hook-up ratios during the early autumn transition, dead-drift your presentations around active gravel or focus on mid-day current breaks where running fish stop to rest from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Sticking with quarter-sized egg sacks, beads, or egg-mimicking fly patterns will keep your drift dialed into the river’s natural seasonal smorgasbord.

Fall Steelhead Fishing Pulaski NY Report

Fall steelhead fishing in Pulaski, NY is officially underway and starting right on schedule. If you want to experience the absolute peak of the autumn migration, the lower river sections are currently seeing a good number of fresh, lake-run fish filtering in directly out of Lake Ontario.
With good numbers of silver bullets pushing upriver daily, conditions are looking outstanding for an unforgettable trip on the water.

The early autumn migration creates an exceptional fishing setup because thousands of spawning king and coho salmon are blanketing the shallow gravel beds, dropping a steady supply of millions of loose eggs.
This natural, high-protein food source draws hungry fall steelhead and trophy-sized lake-run brown into the faster, highly-oxygenated current lanes. To maximize your hook-up ratios right now, focus your presentations and target choppy, white, or rippled water where migrating fish group together, due to the current water temperature being above 43 degrees.

Because these newly arrived fall fish are at the absolute peak of their physical strength, they deliver some of the hardest-fighting, most acrobatic battles you will experience all year. Anglers are hooking into pure silver missiles that scream off 100 to 200 feet of line in a blink, lighting up the river with rocket-ship jumps, high-speed somersaults, and long tail-walks across the surface. Getting out on the river mid-week right now ensures you beat the heavy November crowds, giving you first shots at wide-open water holding completely unpressured pods of fish.

Salmon River King Salmon and Coho Salmon Fishing in Pulaski NY

The highly anticipated arrival of our legendary King and Coho Salmon runs is just around the corner in Pulaski, NY! Early season fishing reports from charter captains out on Lake Ontario are signaling an exceptional year ahead, with heavy numbers of mature salmon actively staging near the river mouth. For river anglers, this pre-season data means it is time to meticulously double-check your knots, test your reel drags, and ensure your heavy-duty tackle is fully prepared for the intense battles to come.

Our native Chinook (King Salmon) average an impressive 15 to 20 pounds, with some massive, trophy-sized monsters pushing past the 30-pound mark. Trying to stop a fresh run King Salmon is an absolute test of physical endurance—these fish are famous for doubling over heavy rods and executing sudden, rod-snapping runs that feel like you are hooked to the back of an accelerating bus. Coho Salmon, averaging a zippy 8 to 12 pounds, present a completely different type of chaotic challenge, tearing through the water at high speeds and executing lightning-fast directional changes that will keep any experienced angler completely on their toes.

Historically, tracing the migration data over the last few decades shows that the absolute peak window for the main volume of the run occurs during the final week of September and the first week of October. While early September offers quieter water and less angling competition, any significant weather shift, cold front, or scheduled whitewater dam release from the Lighthouse Hill facility can instantly trigger a massive surge of fresh fish into the lower river. By mid-October, the bulk of the salmon population successfully spreads top-to-bottom throughout the entire system, transitioning heavily onto the shallow gravel beds to spawn.

Thumbs up from this Salmon River fishing guide with a Very Happy Steelhead Guest.

The Steelhead and Salmon fishing of your dreams……………… we’ll mak’m reeeeeeeeeeeeeel

The Salmon River, where Memories are Made!