Salmon River Fish Stocking
Oswego County, New York · 2011–2026 on record
According to New York fish & wildlife agency, Salmon River was last stocked May 2026 with Brown Trout. Salmon River has 410 stocking records on file, spanning 2011–2026, with about 5,806,625 fish stocked over that period.
When Salmon River is stocked
Salmon River is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 188 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Salmon River
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Oswego County, New York.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Salmon River, they typically congregate in schools near public access points, boat ramps, or inlets for the first 24 to 48 hours while adjusting to natural water conditions.
Since Salmon River was last stocked May 2026, anglers visiting within 1 to 2 weeks of a reported event generally experience the highest activity before fish disperse into deeper cover.
State Regulations & Licensing
- •Fishing License: A valid New York freshwater fishing license is required for anglers age 16 and older.Purchase New York license online →
- •Official Rules & Limits: Bag limits, bait restrictions, and seasonal boundaries are set by New York fish & wildlife agency.Official New York regulations guidebook →
- •Ethical Conservation: Use barbless hooks and keep fish submerged in water during unhooking.Trout Thermal Advisory: When water temperatures rise above 68°F (20°C), released trout face severe mortality from thermal exhaustion. Target warmwater species or fish early in the morning when lakes and streams warm up.
Recommended Tackle & Presentations
Techniques tailored to the species stocked in Salmon River:
Stocked Trout Tactics
Use light 4–6 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Float scented dough bait (PowerBait) 12–18" off bottom using a sliding slip-sinker rig with a size 14–16 treble hook. For active casting, throw 1/16 to 1/8 oz inline spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail) or small spoons (Kastmaster) along drop-offs.
Kokanee & Salmon Tactics
Troll small dodgers followed by micro-hoochies or wedding ring spinners tipped with shoepeg corn. Use downriggers or lead-core line to reach cooler thermocline depths (typically 20–50 ft in summer).
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
Rainbow Trout Profile Tips
The most commonly targeted stocked trout in the country, taken on bait, spinners, and flies alike; a common first fish for new anglers.
Recommended Tackle for Salmon River
Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.
Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough
Hatchery-raised trout are conditioned to pelleted scents; scented dough floated 12–18 inches off bottom consistently triggers strikes.
Panther Martin Classic Teardrop Inline Spinner
The heavy convex blade spins instantly upon retrieval, sending vibration through the water that triggers aggressive reaction bites along drop-offs.
Sliding Sinker & Treble Hook Rigging Kit
Sliding egg sinkers allow cautious trout to run with bait without feeling line drag, while size 14–16 treble hooks keep dough bait securely pinned.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Salmon River, freshest activity first.
Lake Eaton
6 miHamilton County · 4 species · 65 records
Last stocked November 2025
Blue Mountain lake
3 miHamilton County · 1 species · 1 records
Last stocked October 2025
Helms Pond
3 miHamilton County · 1 species · 11 records
Last stocked September 2025
Blue Mountain Lake
3 miHamilton County · 4 species · 56 records
Last stocked September 2025
Cascade Pond
5 miHamilton County · 1 species · 14 records
Last stocked September 2025
Wilson Pond
6 miHamilton County · 1 species · 14 records
Last stocked September 2025
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | Brown Trout | 120 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2026 | Brown Trout | 470 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2026 | Brown Trout | 3,840 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 420 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,760 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2026 | Brown Trout | 950 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 5,800 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2026 | Brown Trout | 310 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Brown Trout | 3,840 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2026 | Brown Trout | 40 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2026 | Brown Trout | 470 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2026 | Brown Trout | 560 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2026 | Brown Trout | 4,620 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 650 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2025 | Lake Sturgeon | 1,500 | 0.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 301,701 | 3.8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2025 | Brown Trout | 200 | 13.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2025 | Brown Trout | 50 | 13" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 13" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2025 | Brown Trout | 150 | 13.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 13" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 13.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 12.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Brown Trout | 100 | 13.8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Brown Trout | 940 | 9.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Brown Trout | 50 | 13.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 12.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Brown Trout | 200 | 13.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Brown Trout | 1,800 | 8.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 470 | 10.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,800 | 10.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 170 | 12.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Brown Trout | 170 | 13.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Brown Trout | 1,520 | 8.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Brown Trout | 470 | 8.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,520 | 10.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Brown Trout | 30 | 12.8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 170 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Brown Trout | 470 | 8.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,060 | 9.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Brown Trout | 200 | 13.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,800 | 9.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 470 | 9.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Brown Trout | 300 | 8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Brown Trout | 50 | 8.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Brown Trout | 1,520 | 8.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 230 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Brown Trout | 170 | 8.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Brown Trout | 4,580 | 9.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Landlocked Salmon | 20,630 | 6.8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 410 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Salmon River last stocked?
According to New York fish & wildlife agency, Salmon River was last stocked May 2026 with Brown Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Salmon River?
Salmon River is stocked with Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Sturgeon, Chinook Salmon, Landlocked Salmon, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Salmon River stocked?
Salmon River is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Salmon River stocked?
Salmon River has been stocked about 26 times a year — 410 recorded stockings between 2011 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Salmon River?
About 5,806,625 fish have been stocked in Salmon River across 410 recorded events since 2011, per New York fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Salmon River?
Fish stocked in Salmon River average about 9.5 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Salmon River?
Yes, all anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid New York freshwater fishing license. Always review current regulations from New York fish & wildlife agency for site-specific rules, bag limits, or stamps.
How do you catch stocked trout in Salmon River?
Freshly stocked trout in Salmon River typically respond well to floating dough bait (such as PowerBait) floated 12–18 inches off bottom on light 4–6 lb leader, live nightcrawlers under a bobber, and small inline spinners or spoons retrieved along shorelines and drop-offs.