The Salmon River is a tributary of Lake Ontario, which flows 44 miles to the lake from its headwaters in New York’s Tug Hill region. It’s one of the best angling locations in the region because it’s relatively large, gets a constant flow from water released by upstream dams, and it’s heavily stocked with chinook salmon raised in the fish hatchery right on the river.

At High Adventure Sportfishing, we’re ready to head to the Salmon River when the chinook (king) and coho salmon runs begin in September. Captain Troy Creasy also targets steelhead, Atlantic salmon, and brown trout during the fall season. Smallmouth and largemouth bass can also be found in these waters.

Here are some quick facts about the Salmon River:

Good fishing on the Salmon River can be found on about 12 miles of water from its mouth to the dam at the Lighthouse Hill Reservoir.

The salmon runs often coincide with heavy rains or significant outflows of water from the dams on the river. After the water level peaks and starts to drop, the salmon will make a run upriver.

The Salmon River got its name because it was once a major spawning ground for Atlantic salmon, not the chinooks and cohos here today. By 1900, overfishing, pollution, and the construction of the dams led to their decline.

When the runs begin and how long they last are unpredictable. Chinook often runs at the same time as coho and both species are found in the same parts of the river. Generally, by mid-October, the main runs are finished.

In the summer, anglers target Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and steelhead on the river. With the recent minimum river flow requirements and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s focus on stocking these species, summer fishing on the Salmon River is improving considerably.

High Adventure Sportfishing Captain Troy Creasy has 38 years of experience fishing the Salmon River and knows how to put you in prime areas for trophy king salmon catches. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy world-class fishing in a beautiful wilderness setting. Make sure you book your fall reservation for one of the best Salmon River Fishing Trips in NY!