Salmon Fishing New York - Premier River Trips
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target trophy salmon and trout in renowned Salmon RiverSmall group experience with maximum two guests per tripFlexible locations based on optimal fishing conditions
There's nothing quite like hooking into a chrome-bright salmon fresh from Lake Ontario as it rockets upstream through the Salmon River's legendary runs. This top-rated New York fishing experience puts you right in the heart of some of the most productive salmon and trout waters in the Northeast, where trophy fish move through prime holding water during peak migration periods. With just two anglers per trip, you'll get the personalized attention and prime positioning that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic one on these world-class waters.
The Salmon River system offers some of the most consistent salmon and trout action you'll find anywhere in New York State. Your guide knows exactly where these fish stage up during different flow conditions and weather patterns, whether that's working the deeper pools near the DSR or drifting through the productive runs closer to Pulaski. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility - if conditions aren't ideal on one section, there are multiple backup spots within easy reach. You'll be targeting active fish in their prime feeding zones, using techniques that have been proven effective on these particular waters. The intimate group size means you won't be competing with a boatload of other anglers for the best drifts, and your guide can focus on putting you on fish rather than managing a crowd.
Success on the Salmon River comes down to reading water, understanding fish behavior, and having the right presentation at the right depth. Your guide will set you up with everything from bottom-bouncing rigs with fresh spawn bags to swinging streamers through known holding lies. Depending on conditions, you might be float fishing with centerpin reels for that perfect dead-drift presentation, or working spinners and spoons through the tailouts where aggressive fish are feeding. The key is matching your approach to what the fish want on any given day - sometimes they're hugging bottom in the deep holes, other times they're actively chasing bait in the faster water. Water temperature, flow rates, and recent weather all play into the strategy, which is why having an experienced local guide makes such a huge difference in your success rate.
Rainbow Trout in the Salmon River system are absolute powerhouses, with steelhead pushing well into the double digits during peak runs. These fish come in hot from the lake with silver sides and incredible strength, known for their aerial displays and blistering runs that'll test your drag system. Fall and spring offer the best opportunities, with fish moving through in waves depending on water conditions. What makes these rainbows so special is their Lake Ontario genetics - they fight harder and grow bigger than your typical stream trout.
Coho Salmon bring serious excitement to every drift, with their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights that keep your heart pumping. These chrome rockets typically range from 8 to 15 pounds and are known for their spectacular jumps when hooked. September through October marks prime time for cohos, when they're transitioning from lake to river and still have that ocean-bright coloration. They're notorious for hitting lures hard and fast, making for some of the most action-packed fishing you'll experience on New York waters.
Chinook Salmon represent the ultimate trophy for most anglers hitting the Salmon River, with mature fish often exceeding 20 pounds and some true giants pushing 30-plus. These are the fish that dreams are made of - powerful, determined, and capable of completely changing your perspective on what freshwater fishing can offer. King salmon season peaks in September and early October, when these massive fish are staging in deeper pools and can be targeted with specific techniques. Landing a big chinook is a team effort between angler and guide, requiring patience, proper technique, and sometimes a little luck.
Brown Trout add another dimension to the fishery, with these wary and intelligent fish providing some of the most challenging and rewarding angling opportunities. Lake-run browns can reach impressive sizes, often showing beautiful golden flanks and distinctive spotting patterns. They tend to be more selective in their feeding habits compared to other species, making them a favorite target for anglers who appreciate technical fishing. Fall brings excellent brown trout action, particularly during overcast days when these typically nocturnal feeders become more active in daylight hours.
Peak season dates fill up fast for good reason - this is when the fishing reaches its absolute best and every drift has the potential to produce that fish of a lifetime. The combination of multiple species, proven techniques, and intimate group sizes makes this a customer favorite among serious anglers who want results, not just a day on the water. Your non-refundable deposit locks in your preferred dates and ensures you won't miss out on what many consider the best salmon and trout fishing New York has to offer. Whether you're after your first steelhead or chasing a new personal best chinook, this renowned fishery delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Our 2013 Hyde drift boat is built for serious salmon action on New York's legendary Salmon River. This 18-foot rig runs on a reliable 9HP Mercury that'll push us to 15 knots when we need to cover water quickly between fishing spots. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a productive day chasing trophy salmon and trout - a quality fish finder to locate schools, GPS to mark the hot spots, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh plus drinks cold. The livewell keeps bait lively throughout the day. With room for just 2 anglers plus your captain, you'll have plenty of space to work the water without crowding each other during those heart-pounding fights with big fish. This drift boat design lets us navigate the river's currents and access prime fishing zones that larger boats simply can't reach.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smartest fish in the river, averaging 8-24 inches but growing much larger in our system. They're homebodies that love deep pools, undercut banks, and heavy cover during the day. Fall nights are when they really turn on, feeding aggressively in preparation for winter. What makes browns special is their wariness - they've seen every lure and earned their reputation as the hardest trout to fool. But when you connect, they fight with surprising strength and make powerful runs. The golden-brown colors with black spots make them beautiful, and they're excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor. Here's my go-to trick: during our fall runs, fish crawfish patterns tight to structure after dark. Browns hunt differently at night and will hit baits they'd ignore during daylight hours.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights here, running 12-39 inches and typically weighing 15-30 pounds. These fish are light-sensitive, so they hug the bottom during bright conditions and feed most actively at dawn and dusk. You'll find them in the deepest pools and channels where the current breaks. Fall runs bring the biggest fish as they stage before spawning. What makes kings special is their raw power - no acrobatics, just bulldogging strength that'll test your drag and your arms. The reddish-pink meat is prize table fare. Since they stay deep, use weighted presentations and get your bait down to them. Here's what works: on bright days, stick with chartreuse and blue patterns, but when it's overcast, switch to darker purple and black combinations. The color change can make all the difference.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, typically run 12-30 inches and average 8-12 pounds, though we've seen some real monsters over 20 pounds. These fish are pure athletes - they can jump 6 feet straight up and will give you a workout once hooked. They prefer calmer water under debris and structure, especially in the deeper pools connected to our main runs. Peak season is when they're staging for their spawning runs, turning from bright silver to deep maroon. What guests love most is their aggressive nature and acrobatic fight - they'll dance on their tails and make long runs. The orange-red meat is top-notch eating too. Pro tip: when they're holding in pools, try twitching a long-tail jig near the bottom. The subtle movement triggers strikes when they're being finicky.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout average 8-24 inches and put up a solid fight with their acrobatic jumps. You'll find them in cooler water around 55-65°F, often near gravelly areas or under cover like vegetation and rocks. They move to deeper spots during summer heat. Spring and fall are prime times when they're actively feeding, especially at dusk and dawn. What makes them special is their willingness to take flies and their beautiful pink stripe that gives them their name. They taste great too - mild and nutty flavor that's perfect grilled or pan-fried. Here's a local tip: during our peak season runs, focus on the deeper pools below the main rapids where they rest between fighting the current. Keep your bait just off the bottom and you'll connect with some real fighters.
Oswego County