There are certain rivers, lakes, and bodies of water that beckon anglers from all over the world each year. Whether it’s saltwater flats in a far-off country or a legendary trout river, these areas share one thing in common—extraordinary fishing opportunities. One of these places is the Salmon River, a tributary to Lake Ontario in Upstate New York. Every fall, anglers dot the banks of this legendary river, hoping to time “the run” just right and witness thousands of salmon and steelhead migrate upriver. Along the way, anglers, guides, and its residents make lasting memories, meet new friends, and build community in the quest for the fish of a lifetime. These shared moments, and the camaraderie that comes with them, make up The Voice of the Salmon River.
About the Salmon River
The Salmon River is located in upstate New York, on the Eastern shore of Lake Ontario. In total, it runs just over 50 miles from its headwaters, but the majority of angling opportunities center around the lower 14 miles of water. The Lighthouse Hill Dam separates the mainstem from its upper reaches, while simultaneously controlling flows throughout the year. Anglers frequent the sections from the town of Altmar down to Pulaski on a mission to catch one of the many migratory species.
The river gets its name, not from the Pacific salmon that call it home today, but from landlocked Atlantic salmon that originally inhabited Lake Ontario in the 1800s. Unfortunately, pollution and overfishing led to the extinction of Atlantic salmon by the 1870s. It would remain that way until 1968, when the first coho salmon were stocked, soon followed by Chinook salmon, steelhead, and eventually Atlantic Salmon and brown trout.
Today the Salmon River is home to several highly sought-after gamefish species, including Chinook salmon, coho salmon, brown trout, steelhead, smallmouth bass, pike, and carp. Depending on what you want to catch, the river has opportunities 12 months out of the year. Season after season, the abundance of fish draws anglers from all over the world in search of a potential fish of a lifetime.
The Changing of the Seasons
As the seasons change, angling opportunities come and go. Learning the timing of the seasons and what each brings is crucial for success.
Fall
As the summer winds down and the leaves begin to turn color, the Salmon River comes to life. Towards the end of August, the first salmon make an appearance, signaling the beginning of the annual salmon run. The real action starts to pick up in mid-September as the first major waves of salmon make their way up the river. By October, the run is full bore, with fishing crescendoing by November. The Chinook lead the way, followed soon after by the coho. Whether you’re fishing with fly rods or conventional tackle, at its peak, opportunities are abundant. Unlike traditional trout fishing, you don’t have to move to find fish. Instead, anglers will target shallow water runs, riffles, and pools where fish congregate and push throughout the day. Common techniques to catch salmon are drifting egg patterns and beads to hopefully entice a strike from one of these fish.
Winter and Spring
As the Salmon begin to taper off in the colder months, the next wave of hungry fish move in. Coming to feed on the freshly laid eggs, Great Lakes steelhead and brown trout begin their migration into the river. While the crowds begin thinning as the temperature drops, the die-hard anglers come out for a chance to catch the hardest-fighting fish in the river. During these months, before the sun rises, the river is illuminated by the glow of dozens of anglers’ headlamps as each participant waits for the morning light to entice the fish to begin moving.
Then, once these fish have had their chance to spawn and the Spring thaws the riverbanks, Brown trout and Steelhead begin making their way back to Lake Ontario to occupy the depths. As they make their journey home, these fish aggressively feed, bulking up for the journey and a summer spent in Lake Ontario. In addition, giant smallmouth bass make their way into the river to feed before spawning.
Summer
If you missed the winter/spring Steelhead season, the Summer still presents an opportunity to hook onto a massive buck or hen through the DNR’s summer Steelhead stocking program. In addition, Atlantic salmon that call Lake Ontario home will make an appearance in the summer and early fall.
The lower portions of the river and its estuary also offer excellent warm water fishing throughout the summer. Large common carp from Lake Ontario frequent this area, as do northern pike. For those targeting pike, throw large lures or flies and focus around weed edges in the estuary.
The Meaning Behind the Salmon River
The Salmon River is not something whose ethos can be summed up in a few words. For those who have never been, the associated grit that surrounds the culture on and off the water may come off as daunting. From the frigid sub-zero mornings spent cleaning ice from your guides to the crowds of anglers that can be found occupying the shorelines day after day…some might have written off the river completely. However, for those who are looking for a fishing experience that perfectly embodies the American Northeast Freshwater culture, the waters of the Salmon River might just be a place for you.
This river is a place that, year after year, rain, shine, or snow, you’ll find people making their pilgrimage back for one reason or another. It’s a place where time has slowed down, and where the unfamiliar faces that occupy the local restaurants, lodges, and fly-shops quickly morph to become the welcoming faces of friends. Where first casts, as well as last, are made. It’s a place where one goes to experience a true phenomenon that can’t be matched anywhere else in the world.
To learn more about the Salmon River:
To learn more about the Salmon River, or other opportunities in Oswego County, NY. Check out their website, HERE. For regular updates, check out their Comprehensive Fishing Report, which is updated weekly.
