The Salmon River, located in Oswego County, stretches 17 miles from the Lighthouse Hill Reservoir in Altmar to where it empties into Lake Ontario at Port Ontario. There are 12 miles of Public Fishing Rights along the river. The Salmon River offers some of the finest sportfishing in the country. Two major fish records have been set in the Salmon River: the Great Lakes record Chinook salmon (47 lbs. 13 oz.) and the world record Coho salmon (33 lbs. 4 oz.).
The recently completed Salmon River Fisheries Management Plan (PDF), which was developed with stakeholders input, provides succinct descriptions of the river's trout and salmon fisheries and lays out the framework of major objectives and the strategies which the Department intends to employ to meet the Plan's stated goal: "DEC will manage the River and its tributaries as a premier, high quality, year-round sport fishery with the opportunity to catch a diversity of trophy sized lake run trout and salmon species". The Plan calls for development of a yearly workplan to guide actions and to share with stakeholders at annual "State of the Salmon River Fishery" meetings.
A complementary plan titled the Lower Salmon River Restoration and Recreation Enhancement Plan (PDF) was also recently completed and provides a more detailed description of the history of the river and its fishery. The management objectives of this plan primarily cover the 1,700 acres of recently acquired state property which borders much of the river between the Lighthouse Hill Reservoir and the Village of Pulaski. The purpose of acquiring these lands was to improve and ensure protection of the natural resources, construct several restoration structures to stabilize river banks and improve aquatic habitat, and to improve public access to the rivers world class fisheries.
Access:
Pine Grove Boat Launch - Pine Grove Rd., off Route 3 half a mile south of route 13 at Port Ontario. Dual gravel ramps. Access to Lake Ontario. 120 cars and trailers.
Port Ontario - Rte 3, Wheelchair access. Parking.
Blackhole - North Jefferson and Bridge Streets in Pulaski. Parking.
Long Bridge Pool (Staircase) - South Jefferson Street in Pulaski.
Short Bridge Pool - Rte 11 Downtown Pulaski.
Ballpark - Rte 11 Pulaski. Parking
Haldane Community Center - North Jefferson St. and Maple Ave. Parking.
County Route 2A - County Rte 2A. Parking (Not Completed Yet).
Compactor Pool - County Rte 2A. Parking. Drift Boat Launch.
Sportsman Pool (North) - Centerville Rd. Parking.
Sportsman Pool (South) - Rte 13. Parking.
Fishing Museum - Rte 13. Parking
Pineville - Rte 48. Parking. Drift Boat Launch.
Trestle Pool (North) - Sheepskin Road. Parking.
Trestle Pool (South) - Rte 13. Parking.
Ellis Cove - Rte 42. Parking.
Wire Hole - Rte 42. Parking.(Not Completed Yet).
Altmar North - Rte 52. Parking.
Lower Fly - Rte. 52 Altmar. Parking. Drift Boat Launch.
Paradise Pool - Rte 22. Parking.
Upper Fly - Rte 22. Parking.
Orwell Brook - Tubbs Rd. Parking.
Trout Brook - Rte. 48. Parking.
For more information on these boat launches including Google Maps driving directions, visit the Boat Launch Sites for Oswego County page.
Salmon River Public Fishing Rights Brochure (PDF)
Accessible Features:
Route 3 Crossing, Port Ontario
This fishing site, located upstream from the Lake Ontario marshes, features an accessible path to a fishing platform over the river. The concrete path has railings and several landings as it zigzags down the river bank. The fishing site is located along a busy road and does not offer the back country experience of other sites. There is designated accessible parking. There is no port-a-john at this location. Directions: At the northwest abutment of the Route 3 Bridge, just north of the Route 13 intersection.
See a full listing of DEC's accessible recreation destinations.
Fish Species:
Chinook salmon, coho salmon, Atlantic salmon (or landlocked salmon), steelhead (rainbow trout), brown trout, smallmouth bass, rock bass, fall fish, shorthead redhorse and white sucker.