Thousand Islands fishing report for the week of October 22, 2026. Late October is peak season for musky on the St. Lawrence, with big fish feeding ahead of winter.
What’s Hitting
Musky are feeding aggressively on the shoals and weed edges, smallmouth bass are holding on deep rocky shoals, northern pike are in the bays, and walleye are active after dark. Perch are schooled in mid-depths.
Looking ahead, musky action stays strong until water temperatures drop further, and big fish can show up any day.
Where to Find Them
Work the shoals and drop-offs near Clayton, Alexandria Bay and Cape Vincent for musky, drop-shot the deeper rocks for smallmouth, and fish the weed edges for pike.
Tides & Conditions
The St. Lawrence has current, and wind and water level shape fishing more than tide. Calm days are best for casting, and a falling barometer can turn fish on. Check a current marine forecast.
Tackle & Tactics
Large jerkbaits, bucktails and swimbaits for musky, with a sturdy rod and heavy leader. Drop-shot rigs for smallmouth and minnows or jigs for walleye.
Always do a figure-8 at the boat. Many musky strike there.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Clayton, Alexandria Bay and Cape Vincent launches. Check current New York regulations and seasons before keeping any fish, and handle musky carefully if releasing.
This Week’s Tip
Bring a big net and long-nose pliers. Musky need careful handling.
More Thousand Islands Resources
All Thousand Islands fishing reports · Seasonal fishing calendars · Submit your own report
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This report tells you what happened. ReelAI tells you what to do about it — a briefing for your date, your target species and how you're fishing, built from our reports plus live NOAA and USGS data.
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