New York
Salmon River at Pineville
Current River Rating
Unavailable
Live readings are shown, but there is not enough configured guidance to assign a rating.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is available with the current data.
Why
- Dawn low light is favorable.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Cautions
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 236 CFS
- Gage Height
- 5.36 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 04250200 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
60°F
Feels like
59°F
Wind
4 mph NW
Wind gust
8 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 59°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 61°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 12 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 72°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 4 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 74°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 8 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 67°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sun 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 63°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 74°F / Low 57°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 75°F / Low 57°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 73°F / Low 52°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 76°F / Low 55°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 8 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Lake Ontario tributary in Oswego County from Lighthouse Hill Reservoir toward Port Ontario. NYSDEC identifies roughly 12 miles of nationally known salmon and steelhead fishing; Great Lakes tributary special regulations apply.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Salmon River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Lake Ontario tributary known for migratory Chinook and Coho salmon, steelhead (rainbow trout), Atlantic salmon, and brown trout, with smallmouth bass also present. DEC documents roughly 12 miles of Public Fishing Rights.
Target species
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC Salmon River page lists Chinook salmon as a primary migratory species. Annual stocking is documented; DEC also reports substantial natural reproduction in Lake Ontario / Salmon River Chinook.
Source: NYSDEC
Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC Salmon River page lists Coho salmon among primary migratory salmonids; annual stocking is documented with some wild-origin contribution.
Source: NYSDEC
Steelhead
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Canonical species: Rainbow Trout
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC lists steelhead (rainbow trout) as a primary migratory Salmon River fishery. Recorded as rainbow-trout with fishery_label Steelhead; not a separate species from resident rainbow trout.
Source: NYSDEC
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC lists Atlantic salmon (or landlocked salmon) among Salmon River species; migratory run supported by DEC stocking records.
Source: NYSDEC
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC lists brown trout among Salmon River migratory species entering from Lake Ontario during fall spawning runs.
Source: NYSDEC
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC Salmon River species list includes smallmouth bass as an established warmwater component.
Source: NYSDEC
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- Yes
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Tailwater fishery below Lighthouse Hill Reservoir flowing to Lake Ontario at Port Ontario. Fall salmon runs and fall-through-spring steelhead runs dominate the sport fishery.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Drift fishing
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
DEC lists numerous shore-access and boat/drift-boat launch sites from Port Ontario upstream through Pulaski and Altmar, including Pineville. Use the DEC Salmon River page, Public Fishing Rights brochure, and DECinfo Locator for current access.
DEC states there are about 12 miles of Public Fishing Rights along the Salmon River providing access to numerous fishing sites.
Stocking information
DEC stocking records document annual stocking of Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, steelhead, and Atlantic salmon. Natural reproduction also contributes to Chinook and Coho returns.
Regulation sections
Legal regulations are summarized below for convenience. Official linked rules control. This app does not determine whether you are physically within a regulation reach.
Salmon River Downstream of Altmar
From the upstream-most navigation buoy between the breakwalls at the mouth upstream to the County Rte 52 bridge in Altmar and tributaries to this section
Special Salmon River seasonal gear and night-fishing rules apply August 15–April 14; statewide gear restrictions apply April 15–August 14.
- Upstream
- County Rte 52 bridge in Altmar
- Downstream
- Upstream-most navigation buoy between the breakwalls at the mouth
- Season
- August 15–April 14: night fishing prohibited (with limited lower-river exceptions by date). April 15–August 14: statewide gear restrictions.
- Methods
- August 15–April 14: single-hook and gap restrictions, free-swinging hooks, and floating-lure rules as listed on the Great Lakes tributaries page.
Salmon River Lower Fly Fishing Catch and Release
From the County Rte 52 Bridge in Altmar upstream 0.25 mile to the marked boundary at Beaverdam Brook
Fly fishing only Catch and Release section.
- Upstream
- Marked boundary at Beaverdam Brook
- Downstream
- County Rte 52 Bridge in Altmar
- Season
- Open September 15–May 15 from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Fishing prohibited outside the open season.
- Methods
- Traditional fly rod, fly reel, fly line, and artificial fly only. All fish must be immediately released. Additional seasonal fly-line and weight restrictions apply.
- Harvest
- Catch and Release only.
Salmon River Upper Fly Fishing Catch and Release
From a marked boundary upstream of the New York State Fish Hatchery property to a marked boundary 0.6 miles upstream at the Lighthouse Hill Reservoir tailrace
Fly fishing only Catch and Release section adjacent to County Rte 22 above the hatchery.
- Upstream
- Marked boundary 0.6 miles upstream at the Lighthouse Hill Reservoir tailrace
- Downstream
- Marked boundary upstream of the Salmon River Hatchery property
- Season
- Open April 1–November 30 from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
- Methods
- Traditional fly rod, fly reel, fly line, and artificial fly only. All fish must be immediately released. Additional seasonal fly-line and weight restrictions apply.
- Harvest
- Catch and Release only.
Official sources
Regulations can change. Always verify current rules on the official NYSDEC page before fishing; linked official regulations control.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerConservative overlap streamer family. Not an insect Hatch claim.
- Parachute-style dryOne general surface family appropriate to mixed fisheries — not a Hatch report.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphOne general subsurface family. Not destination entomology.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Oswego, New York
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Oswego
DEC Region
7
Management Category
Great Lakes tributary
Regulation Scope
Salmon River / Lake Ontario tributary reaches
Regulation Summary
Great Lakes and tributaries special regulations apply to the Salmon River fishery.
Target Species
Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Atlantic Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass
Flow Regulation
Flow below Lighthouse Hill Reservoir is release-influenced.
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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