Fishing in Pulaski

Pulaski, NY, is a village located in the western part of New York State, on the aptly named Salmon River, and not far from the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. It has a well-deserved reputation as a top-tier destination for salmon and steelhead fishing. Its history and economy are deeply intertwined with the sport—anglers flock here every fall and winter for the river’s explosive runs and scenic banks. From downtown access points to public trails and State-managed easements, the area's fishing infrastructure is robust, making Pulaski a uniquely accessible entry point into the region’s storied fishery.

Pulaski is world-renowned for its runs of chinook and coho salmon in fall, with trophy fish regularly exceeding 30 pounds. Spring brings powerful steelhead and brown trout as they move upstream looking for salmon eggs, offering fierce battles in clear, fast riffles. Winters are defined by hungry steelhead and holdover rainbows pushing up from the lake, while summer provides action with warmwater species like bass and pike near the river’s mouth. Offshore in Lake Ontario, anglers can hook a wide variety of fish, from walleye, perch, and northern pike to fish lake and brown trout and an occasional salmon.

The go-to method of fishing on Salmon River is from drift boats. An experienced, registered local guide steers the boat up and down the stream, with clients casting from the boat, and occasionally leaving the vessel to throw their lures and flies from a likely spot in the shallows - don’t even think about forgetting to bring your waders! Learn more about fishing from drift boats. Both fly fishing and spinning are efficient, with anglers using egg patterns, flashy spinners, and streamers to tempt aggressive salmon and steelhead. In winter, nymphing or bead setups carry depth through strong currents, while in summer, lighter tackle and live bait or soft plastics near the lake mouth find warmer-water species. On Lake Ontario, trolling with downriggers and flashers, or casting spoons and body baits, brings success in open water near shoals and drop-offs.