Updated: Thursday, October 15, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, October 22, 2026
This Thousand Islands fishing report covers mid-October, the heart of peak muskie season on the St. Lawrence. Big muskie are the lead target, feeding heavily on the shoals and weed edges ahead of winter. Smallmouth bass are in the deeper shoals, northern pike are on the weeds, and walleye are active at dusk. The main condition to plan around is weather: cold fronts can shut the bite down, so watch the forecast and fish the stable days and low-light periods.
What’s Hitting
Muskie are feeding heavily on the shoals and weed edges, smallmouth are in deeper shoals, and northern pike are on the weeds. Walleye are active at dusk. Fall is when muskie feed most aggressively, building reserves before winter, which is why this stretch draws anglers from far away.
Expect muskie fishing to stay strong until the water gets cold, with weather fronts able to shut the action down.
Where to Find Them
Troll and cast the shoal edges for muskie, fish the deeper shoals for smallmouth, and work the weed edges for pike. Weed edges next to deep water give both pike and muskie cover to ambush passing baitfish.
The St. Lawrence River around the Thousand Islands has a famous muskie fishery, with fish up to the mid-40 inch range possible. The best fishing is often around shoals and weed beds adjacent to deep water. Many anglers hire local guides who know the best patterns and handle the large fish with care.
Tides & Conditions
The moon is heading toward first quarter, but on the river weather is the bigger factor. Cold fronts can shut the bite down, so check the forecast before a trip.
Strong currents and rocky shoals make navigation tricky, so use a good map and electronics, and watch out for freighter traffic in the main channel.
Tackle & Tactics
- Muskie: large bucktails, jerkbaits and glide baits on heavy gear with heavy leaders.
- Smallmouth: tubes on the deeper shoals.
Fish low-light periods for the best action. Carry a good, large net, which lets a muskie rest in the water while hooks are removed, and release big fish quickly and carefully.
Local Intel This Week
Launch at Clayton, Alexandria Bay or Cape Vincent and run to the shoal edges and weed beds nearest deep water. Keewaydin State Park and Cedar Point State Park offer additional access along the river. Muskie rules in New York, including size limits, deserve a careful read. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
Finish with a figure-8. Muskie often follow lures to the boat, so complete the figure-8 at boatside. Keeping the lure moving in wide turns beside the boat gives a following fish one more chance to commit instead of turning away when the retrieve stops.
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