The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced measures to address the effects of unusually low water flows in the Salmon River during the upcoming salmon run. These steps include changing water release schedules and delaying the opening of the river’s lower fly fishing section, a move made before an event that brings thousands of anglers each year.
“New York State’s Salmon River waterway boasts world class fall salmon and trout runs,” said Region 7 Director Dereth Glance. “The modified water releases and delayed opening of the lower fly fishing section are necessary to ensure a successful egg collection at the hatchery to continue New York State’s legacy of a thriving Lake Ontario salmonid fishery.”
This summer saw less rainfall than usual, resulting in reduced water levels in the Salmon River Reservoir. The Executive Committee of the Salmon River Flow Management Team, which includes natural resource agencies and Brookfield Renewable hydroelectric facility, canceled planned whitewater releases and postponed increasing baseflow rates. This action is meant to conserve reservoir water and keep suitable flows for salmon spawning.
Normally, under federal license requirements, baseflows on the Salmon River increase from 185 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 335 cfs on September 1 if reservoir levels are above a set threshold. Current levels are below this point, so officials canceled a scheduled whitewater release over Labor Day weekend. Forecasts do not predict significant rain soon, leading DEC to recommend further delays in raising baseflow rates.
According to DEC, high water temperatures combined with low flows in tributaries like Beaverdam Brook—where Chinook salmon access DEC’s hatchery for egg collection—could harm migrating fish if baseflows rise too early. If conditions do not improve, these fish may struggle or fail to reach the hatchery.
To help ensure enough salmon arrive at the hatchery for stocking programs, DEC will keep the popular lower fly fishing section closed past its usual September 15 opening date. The closure will last until enough eggs have been collected or through at least October 31.
DEC encourages anglers to visit other Great Lakes tributaries for alternative fishing opportunities. Suggestions include areas such as the Upper Fly Area above the hatchery grounds on Route 22 and other recreation sites listed on DEC’s Find Places to Go webpage (https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7804.html).
For more information about regulations and locations, anglers can use DEC’s ‘Tackle Box’ feature within its HuntFishNY App (https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/96440.html). Additional resources like the I Fish NY Great Lakes Fishing Brochure are also available on DEC’s website (https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/greatlakesbrochure.pdf).
