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Stonefly Genus Pteronarcys (Salmonflies)

Taxonomic Navigation -?-
» Genus Pteronarcys (Salmonflies)
Species in PteronarcysNumber of SpecimensNumber of Pictures
Pteronarcys bilobaKnobbed Salmonfly00
Pteronarcys californicaGiant Salmonfly00
Pteronarcys dorsataGiant Black Stonefly00
Pteronarcys princepsEbony Salmonfly00
Pteronarcys proteusSalmonfly00

3 species aren't included.
Common Name
MatchCommon Name
***Salmonflies
Pictures Below ↓
This genus contains the largest stoneflies, and probably the most important thanks to the species Pteronarcys californica. It is commonly called the Salmonfly, and is responsible for the famous hatches of giant stoneflies across the West in the summer. Pteronarcys princeps complements it in higher altitudes across its range.

Pteronarcys dorsata or Giant Black Stone as it is often called is an eastern species which occasionally provides angling action, but it is nocturnal and its populations cannot compare with californica.

In most angling literature, species of this genus were referred to as Salmonflies in the West and Giant Black Stoneflies/Stone Creepers in the East. Over time these regional names are going by the wayside as more and more anglers refer to all of them collectively as Salmonflies.

Read about each species for details.


Pictures of 14 Stonefly Specimens in the Genus Pteronarcys:

Specimen Page:123
Pteronarcys biloba (Knobbed Salmonfly) Stonefly NymphPteronarcys biloba (Knobbed Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph View 17 Pictures
Collected May 6, 2007 from the Neversink River (above reservoir) in New York
Added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 10, 2007
Pteronarcys proteus (Salmonfly) Stonefly NymphPteronarcys proteus (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph View 10 Pictures
Collected April 19, 2006 from Mongaup Creek in New York
Added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on April 21, 2006
Female Pteronarcys californica (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly AdultFemale Pteronarcys californica (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Adult View 11 Pictures
Collected July 2, 2019 from the Gallatin River in Montana
Added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on July 18, 2019
Specimen Page:123

Recent Discussions of Pteronarcys

High Water 8 Replies »
Posted by Dbar on Apr 13, 2007 in the species Pteronarcys californica
Last reply on Jun 11, 2017 by Ricofreako
The hatch often occurs during high water (just after peak) so you sometimes have limited visibility during the hatch. Also - I believe that they can occur above 7000 feet.

Love ths site.
ReplySalmonfly question for you westerners 7 Replies »
Posted by Troutnut on Jul 30, 2006 in the species Pteronarcys californica
Last reply on Jun 4, 2016 by Chipper
I don't have many reliable sources about this species, so it'd be great if you western fishermen could read over the article and make sure I haven't said anything stupid or omitted anything important. I'll be happy to incorporate any additions you have.
ReplyQuestion 7 Replies »
Posted by Max29 on Jan 29, 2008 in the species Pteronarcys dorsata
Last reply on Jan 30, 2008 by Taxon
Are stoneflies and salmonflies the same thing or are they just related because here in the mid west we have the stonfly hatch and if they are related the stonfly could be called the salmonfly and the salmonfly hatch is only in the west because I have trouble because I want to become a better insect identifier when it comes to fishing because i went to other sites that so a stonefly is a stonefly and a salmonfly is a salmon fly but yet you say stonefly nymph but in parenteseses you have american salmonfly so is there really no such thing as a salmonfly but it is rather called a stonefly.
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