Fishing in Pulaski is a phenomenon that you need to experience to believe. Once called “Fishville,” you can be certain this town on the eastern shoreline of Lake Ontario lives up to its name!

If you’re fishing in Pulaski, chances are you’re going for the Salmon run on the aptly named Salmon River. This is one of the most heavily fished tributaries of Lake Ontario. Choose your spot carefully, as it will get very crowded. You can choose to cast from shore, wade, or charter a boat. Throughout the year, the Salmon River is stocked up with Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Washington Steelhead, Skamania Steelhead, and Atlantic Salmon.

As well as the Salmon River, you can also drop your lines in the Douglaston Salmon Run. Although these are private waters, you can access them after paying a fee. You’ll have plenty of elbow room, as only 350 anglers can fish on the 2.5 miles of shoreline per day.

Other top spots include Black Hole, which offers the deepest hole on the river and whose south bank is part of the Douglaston Salmon Run. Long Bridge (also called Staircase Pool) offers anglers many drops upriver and is located in the center of Pulaski. Short Bridge (or Town Pool) is another great little spot to fish from, all in Pulaski.

It would be wrong to not mention that just 3 miles west of Pulaski is the famous Lake Ontario. This is the 19th largest lake in the world and the reason for such excellent fishing in Pulaski. Fishing trips head out onto Lake Ontario between April and September when the fishing is great here.

Drive south for 45 minutes to reach the best lake in New York for Walleye, Oneida Lake. Just 21 miles long, this water offers excellent fishing year round. With a maximum width of just 5.5 miles, the lake regularly freezes over, which makes for great ice fishing in winter.

• Returning Salmon in the Salmon River aren’t hungry when spawning, just very territorial and aggressive. The best way to entice them at this time is using egg sacs or plastic imitation eggs.  

• For Brown Trout, tried and true types of lures include fresh egg sacks, plastic baits, and nightcrawlers.

Fall is the best time to catch Salmon. This is the place to be for multiple hook ups in the fall, and you’ll find the river can get very crowded with anglers.

You can buy a single day NY fishing license for $10. Have the license on you at all times when fishing (or the confirmation code if you do not have a paper license).

When fishing in the Salmon River there are many regulations you need to be aware of to avoid getting a ticket. Your guide will let you know the do’s and don’ts, as there are many to navigate!

Fishing trips in Pulaski vary depending on which body of water the trip is on. Heading into Lake Ontario on a 10 hour trip will cost a group of four around $1,000. On the other hand, a six-hour night trip on Oneida Lake will be $200 for two people. Expect an eight-hour trip on the Salmon River to be between $600–$800 for four people.

Pulaski is located on Route 11, adjacent to I-81. Syracuse Hancock International Airport is a 40 minute drive south, along the I-81 N. Watertown International Airport is 35 minutes north of Pelaski along the I-81 N. You’ll find Rochester less than two hours away along the I-90 W.

Fishing in Pulaski is well worth the journey – head down today for an unforgettable fishing adventure.