DEC enacts special regulations delaying opening of Lower Fly Fishing area on Salmon River amidst low water flows

OSWEGO COUNTY- Low water flows have once again delayed the opener of the Lower Fly Fishing Zone on the world famous Salmon River.

“Delaying opening season until water levels are adequate for this stretch protects future world-class salmon and trout runs by ensuring successful egg collection at DEC’s Salmon River Fish Hatchery to sustain New York State’s thriving Lake Ontario salmonid fishery,” said DEC Region 7 Director Dereth Glance.

With that said, the entire river below the County Route 52 bridge in Altmar, NY remains open to regular fishing. The Upper Fly Fishing Zone also remains open.

This summer, below-average rainfall led to low and declining water levels in the Salmon River Reservoir.

The Executive Committee of the Salmon River Flow Management Team, comprised of natural resource agencies and Brookfield Renewable hydroelectric facility that regulates reservoir water levels, canceled scheduled whitewater releases and delayed the annual increase in base-flow to conserve reservoir water and maintain suitable flows throughout the salmon spawning run.

The Salmon River and surrounding Lake Ontario tributaries boast annual fall returns of both Pacific strains of King and Coho Salmon, along with Brown Trout and an occasional Atlantic Salmon.

As fall turns to winter, many Lake Ontario Tributaries, including the Salmon River, feature a Steelhead Trout fishery, which typically lasts through mid-spring.

NYS DEC image.