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Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic Salmon in New York represent both the state's native heritage and ongoing restoration efforts.

Originally native to Lake Ontario and its tributaries, these anadromous fish were once abundant but the native population was extirpated by the late 1800s due to dams, deforestation, pollution, and overfishing.

Today's Atlantic Salmon are primarily supported by aggressive stocking programs, with New York DEC stocking approximately 200,000 one-year-old salmon annually since 1983.

Scientific Name: Salmo salar

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Current populations exist in 13 New York watersheds including Lake Ontario tributaries, with some natural reproduction occurring in the Ontario, Black, and Upper Hudson watersheds.
  • In New York waters, they're classified as landlocked, living their entire lifecycle in Lake Ontario rather than migrating to the ocean.

Key Locations

  • The Salmon River is the premier destination, heavily stocked and offering excellent opportunities from Altmar to Lake Ontario, including the private Douglaston Salmon Run section.
  • Key New York waters include Lake Ontario, Lake Champlain, the Finger Lakes (Keuka, Cayuga, Seneca), Lake George, Skaneateles Lake, Schroon Lake, Piseco Lake, and Otsego Lake.

Specific Spots

  • They prefer spawning habitat 7-20 inches deep with swift currents, coarse substrate, and high oxygen content.

Atlantic Salmon FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Atlantic Salmon in New York?

Effective lures include inline spinners, spoons, crankbaits in chartreuse/silver/pink, and bright-colored patterns 3-6 inches long. Bait fishing works well with spawn bags containing salmon e.g.gs, skein, plastic worms in pink/red, beads, and shrimp - keep baits smaller than a quarter and brightly colored.

What flies work for Atlantic Salmon in New York?

Effective flies include e.g.g patterns, Woolly Buggers in black/olive/purple, brightly colored streamers in orange/pink, e.g.g-sucking leeches, Estaz e.g.gs, Glo Bugs, and yarn e.g.gs.

When is the best time to fish for Atlantic Salmon in New York?

Atlantic Salmon fishing in New York is best from June through November, with peak opportunities during summer and fall. Spawning occurs October-December (avoid fishing during these periods).

How do you catch Atlantic Salmon in New York?

Dr.ift nymphs under indicators, swing streamers through runs, or use Spey techniques on larger rivers. Bait fishing works well with spawn bags.

What do Atlantic Salmon eat?

Atlantic Salmon feed on fish larvae, euphausiids, and amphipods while in the lake, and will opportunistically take flies, lures, and bait when in rivers.

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