Marking the Saint Lawrence River within the U.S. and Canada border, the Thousand Islands area of New York is where fishing is just about as enchanting as the landscapes. With an 80-kilometer coastline, it is home to many fascinating waterfront communities.
The New York part of the St. Lawrence River can be separated into three particular, effortlessly characterized areas geographically. From Tibbetts Point, close to Cape Vincent, to roughly Morristown, is the most famous area known as the Thousand Islands Region. From the Iroquois Dam to the Moses-Saunders Power Dam close to Massena, the lower section of the river is alluded to as Lake St. Lawrence. The territory between these two sections is fittingly known as the Middle Corridor. Even though exceptional in specific regards, each of the three territories shares a profoundly profitable fishery.
The picturesque river is home to a broad scope of fish species. Desirable for amateur anglers and season experts, this a-list fishery offers anglers the chance to prize Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Pike, Musky, Panfish, and considerably more.
Critical aspects of fishing in Thousand Islands are not just any ordinary angling exploration. Discover further below.
Fish to Catch in Thousand Islands
Lurking in the clear waters of St. Lawrence are quite a few gamefish, sure to excite the anglers of each skill. Northern pike, walleye, bass, perch, panfish, and the tricky trophy muskellunge keep testing anglers from everywhere in the country and pull in professional fishing tournaments a seemingly endless amount of time after year.
Below are the targeted species and will give you ideas on what to hook for your dinner on your Thousand Islands trip.
Bass
There are roughly 1,864 islands to fish, and all of them can offer the biggest bass of your life.
Although largemouth bass is taken on St. Lawrence, the smallmouth bass is the most hooked species. Excellent catches of smallmouths are taken around islands like Carleton, Round, and Linda. It includes off-points like Bartlett, Chippewa, and Grass. Within inlets like Goose, Chippewa, and narrows of Grindstone and Wellesley Islands and beneath the Moses-Saunders Power Dam and off sandbars. Small spinners, jigs, and rubber worms suit well in the late summer, while live lures, including minnows, worms, and crawfish, are good early-season lures.
You can find largemouth bass in shallow, weedy bays and along the edges of reefs. Lake of the Isles on Wellesley Island is known as the largemouth area for the St. Lawrence River. Rubber worms, spinnerbaits, surface baits, plugs, and worms are usual lures.
Northern Pike
You can enjoy Northern pike fishing nearly all year. In winter, ice anglers take great catches from ways close to Cape Vincent, Clayton, Wellesley Island, Alexandria Bay, Wheathouse Bay (downstream from Ogdensburg), and Coles Creek tip-ups with giant minnows. During spring, shallow, weedy inlets and reefs are where northern pike fishers progress admirably.
Walleye
Walleye fishing is more restricted than northern pike fishing along the stream. In May, walleye hot spots are where significant feeders enter St. Lawrence. The Oswegatchie and Grasse Rivers’ mouths beneath the Moses-Saunders Power Dam at Massena and off reefs and points are good wagers. Worms on spinners or jigs are the most well-known baits.
Panfish
Do not disregard fishing for panfish. It seems that small catches are far-reaching in the river and offer an activity for both boat and shore anglers. Frequently overlooked, these fish gave all year amusing to all fishermen – amateurs and seasoned the same. Rock bass, dark crappies, bluegills, and pumpkin seeds are, on the whole, great-tasting and moderately easy to catch. Use worms, minnows, jigs, spinners, and small baits.
Yellow Perch
Bullhead fishing gets mainstream in early spring when the water heats up not long after ice-out. Feeders like French, Cranberry, Crooked, Chippewa, and Coles rivers are generally hot spots. Customary lures like nightcrawlers and leeches function admirably here. Later in the spring, bullhead fishing moves into the bays like those of Grindstone and Wellesley Islands.
Late spring through early summer is additionally a fun time for yellow perch fishing. Using minnows and worms off docks at Cape Vincent, Clayton and Ogdensburg will create great perch catches.
Muskellunge
With all the joined efforts, you can bring home the bacon of the most challenging warm water game fish in late summer and through fall; the muskellunge. In 1957, a New York State record took 69 pounds 15-ounce muskellunge close to Clayton, and this record stands today. It is so demanding and technical that catching a musky would need a guide service. Especially for amateur anglers, it is highly recommended. Those anglers who like to look for this beast all alone have a go at ringing along the edge of sandbars from Cape Vincent to Ogdensburg. Use giant spoons and plugs and be ready for a battle.
How to Fish in Thousand Islands
Shore Fishing
Outdoor activities exist along the stream at Cedar Island State Park in Chippewa Bay, Jacques Cartier State Park close to Morristown, the Town of Lisbon Recreation Area east of Ogdensburg, Coles Creek State Park at Waddington, and Robert Moses State Park at Massena. The camping areas have ramps for boat access just as docks and streams face shore angling. Boat ramps and shore fishing activities are likewise accessible in all communities along the river.
Ice Fishing
The fishing activity proceeds over time, with a well-known ice fishing season for Northern Pike and Perch occurring throughout the colder time of year. Cars, trucks, and small flames dab the ice in the more oversized bays as anglers bold the cold weather, looking for new pike, gotten through the ice. The yearly ice fishing derby held the first weekend of February draws in numerous anglers.
On a Boat
From individual watercraft to luxury yachts, the Thousand Islands locale is a sporting boater’s heaven as an almost consistent display of stream traffic shows this captivating scenery. For guests, a river cruise gives the ideal sightseeing alternative the advantage of historical portrayal.
Where to Fish in Thousand Islands
New York State flaunts an amazing 7,500 lakes and 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, really making it an angler’s paradise. That, however, makes Long Island an excellent spot to find something important off the coast. Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and the Finger Lakes area all make excellent freshwater fishing opportunities.
The St. Lawrence River is a web of islands, bays, and sandbars and gives anglers numerous opportunities. It is renowned all through the United States and Canada for its capacity to yield monster muskie, delivering more 50-pound fish over the years than some other areas in North America.
Below are the hot spots to cast your line in the currents of the river.
Burnham Point State Park
3.5 miles- village northeast of Cape Vincent, this small and quiet with lightly-wooded campsites, is ideal for boating, fishing, and relaxing. Boaters can go around local towns, islands, and historic sites for miles up and down the beautiful river. Famous game fish include bass, pike, muskellunge, and walleye.
Cedar Point State Park
One of the most seasoned state parks in New York, Cedar Point State Park is a well-known spot. It provides incredible outdoor activities, such as fishing, drifting, and swimming, and the seashore is protected and sandy. There are docks for boats, fishing piers, and outing grounds. From the ignored territory, guests can watch ocean tankers cruise by.
Wellesley Island State Park
Wellesley Island State Park has the biggest camping complex in the Thousand Islands area. Inside this rural heaven, fishing is incredible – especially for smallmouth bass, pike, and muskie. To oblige boaters, the recreation center has a full-service marina and three boat launches. A sandy seashore on the stream offers incredible swimming and sunbathing.
Grass Point State Park
Grass Point State Park is on a state of the land that sends off into the American Channel of the St. Lawrence River, popular for the absolute best fishing in the country. The recreation center is a well-known spot for campers and day-users who come to boat, swim, fish, excursion or unwind. There are a marina and boat launch, a region is accessible for games, and the sandy seashore and shallow water are perfect for children.
Kring Point State Park
Kring Point State Park is a narrow peninsula whose south shore faces Goose Bay and whose north shore faces the St. Lawrence River. Standing anyplace in the recreation center, guests see water and many of the 1700 islands for which the district is named. A big part of the 100 campgrounds are on the waterfront, and essentially every lodge and camping area has a waterway or bay view. The recreation center is docked on the waterway and the inlet, and there is a sandy seashore on St. Lawrence. Fishing, drifting, swimming, and camping are significant activities. Throughout the colder time of year, guests cross-country ski.
Best Season to Fish in Thousand Islands
Spring
In early spring, with warmer weather drawing nearer, you can go out on the lake and go through the day looking for some pleasant Trout. Later on, in April, the climate gets truly decent, so you can hit the lake looking for some Brown and Rainbow Trout.
In May, this is when the fishing season begins, so book a charter nearby and have a good time experience. You can catch Trout, Bass, Pike, and Walleye.
Summer
With the start of summer, the climate is pleasant, and the fishing is shockingly better. Strike the fishing grounds and reel in some Pike, Bass, Walleye, and Trout.
By July, Lake Ontario is overflowing with life, and an assortment of freshwater species are biting at this time. Search for some smallmouth and largemouth bass, just like pike and trout.
In August, the Salmon bite is burning, while Trout is consistently a unique species to target. Appreciate the pleasant weather and profitable fishing.
Fall
Fall kicks in, so it's an incredible opportunity to take off looking for some pleasant Salmon. The weather is still acceptable, and you can make some great memories of cruising the waters of Lake Ontario.
With the fall going all out, trolling for Steelhead is an incredible encounter. You can find Salmon and Trout in the feeders, so hit up the St. Lawrence River for a fun time.
Come late-fall, the Steelhead bite is smoking more than ever, so this is your opportunity to land a prize, Rainbow. With regards to Salmon, head out to the feeders and reel in some Coho and Silver.
Winter
With the holiday season drawing closer, head out to the nearby regions and hit up the feeders for some big fish among loads of snow.
With the New Year, everybody is taking a break and investing energy in their families. Guides are getting ready for the start of the fishing season.
Since Lake Ontario isn’t prepared for prime fishing yet, you can take off to specific feeders and reward yourself with some relaxation.
License and Regulations
New York State provides anglers probably the best fishing on the East Coast. Your alternatives are plentiful, from the fishing capital of the world in Montauk to Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Find everything from bass and perch to muskies and walleyes. Before you snatch your rod and reel, ensure you understand the state requirements and regulations.
People can buy a fishing license at a license issuing agent area, online, or via telephone. Those 16 years old and older should acquire a fishing license for getting freshwater fish species by “angling, spearing, hooking, longbow, and tip-ups,” and if they are getting frogs and baitfish in a specific way. Charges for licenses rely upon the sort (annual, multi-day, one-day) and whether you are a resident. Costs are reduced for active-ready military, veterans, senior residents, legally blind people, and non-resident students going to a New York State school or college full-time.
