The St. Lawrence at the Thousand Islands is a current-driven fishery with world-class smallmouth and a muskie season that draws anglers from across the country. The calendar is built around those two fish.
Related: Thousand Islands Fishing Guide · Thousand Islands Weekly Fishing Reports
| Month | Top Species | Peak Technique | Conditions & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Yellow Perch, Pike, Walleye | Ice fishing, tip-ups | Ice fishing underway in the protected bays |
| February | Perch, Pike | Ice fishing, jigging | Trophy perch through the ice |
| March | Walleye, Perch, Pike | Late ice, jigging | Late ice; walleye begin staging |
| April | Walleye, Pike | Jigs, live bait | Walleye spawn; check season dates by water |
| May | Walleye, Smallmouth, Pike | Jigs, tubes | Smallmouth season opens |
| June | Smallmouth, Walleye, Pike | Tubes, drop-shot | Peak smallmouth fishing on the shoals |
| July | Smallmouth, Muskie, Walleye | Drop-shot, bucktails | Summer smallmouth fishing strong |
| August | Smallmouth, Muskie, Pike | Drop-shot, glide baits | Muskie become more active late in the month |
| September | Muskie, Smallmouth, Walleye | Bucktails, jerkbaits | Muskie season builds as water cools |
| October | Muskie, Smallmouth | Large rubber, glide baits | PEAK muskie fishing |
| November | Muskie, Walleye | Large baits, jigs | Trophy muskie window; cold and worth it |
| December | Perch, Pike, Walleye | First ice, tip-ups | First ice forms in the protected bays |
Best Months to Visit Thousand Islands
Muskie: September–November, with October the peak. Smallmouth: June–October. Walleye: April–May. Ice fishing: January–February in the bays.