Thousand Islands fishing report for the week of September 10, 2026. The muskie anglers have been waiting for this, and the first cool nights of September have started to turn the St. Lawrence on. The big fish are moving onto the shoals and the weed edges as the water cools, the smallmouth are feeding hard on the current breaks, and the walleye have been steady on the deep edges at dusk. The river is in a good fall pattern and it should only get better through October.
What’s Hitting
What’s hitting this week is muskie. The fishing is picking up on the shoals and the weed edges from Clayton down through Alexandria Bay and the Chippewa Bay area, with fish showing on the trolling passes and some follows on the casting spots. The best action has been on the deeper shoals in 20 to 40 feet where the bait is stacked. Smallmouth bass are on the shoals and the current breaks in 15 to 30 feet, with fish from 2 to 5 pounds feeding on gobies and crayfish. Walleye are on the deep edges and the channel drop-offs at dusk, with the Chippewa Bay area and the Cape Vincent water producing. Northern pike are on the weed edges in the bays.
Largemouth are on the weeds in the back bays, and the perch fishing on the deep flats has been good.
Where to Find Them
For muskie, the shoals and the weed edges from Clayton to Alexandria Bay — the 40-Acre Shoal area, the Grenadier Island shoals, and the Chippewa Bay edges have all had fish. Troll the deeper edges in 20 to 40 feet and cast the weed edges in the mornings and evenings. Smallmouth are on the shoals and the current breaks around the islands, and on the rock points near Cape Vincent. Walleye are on the channel edges and the deep drop-offs from Chippewa Bay to Cape Vincent at dusk. Pike are on the weed edges in the bays and around the marinas.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon this weekend has no tidal effect on the river, but the dark nights and the cooling water have moved the bait and the predators onto the shoals. Winds have been west to northwest at 10 to 15 with some rough days on the open river, and the water temps have dropped into the upper 60s. Clarity is good on the main river and fair in the bays. The current has been steady at normal seasonal flows.
Tackle & Tactics
For muskie, troll big crankbaits and jerkbaits on the deep shoal edges at 3 to 4 miles per hour, or cast big bucktails, jerkbaits, and rubber baits on the weed edges. Use a heavy rod, 80 to 100-pound braid, and a fluorocarbon or wire leader, and bring a big net and release tools. Smallmouth want a drop-shot rig, a tube, or a goby-imitating plastic on the shoals. Walleye are taking crankbaits trolled on the deep edges and jigs tipped with a minnow at dusk. Pike want spinnerbaits and jerkbaits on the weeds.
Local Intel This Week
Public ramps: the Clayton village ramp and the French Creek ramp serve the upper river, the Alexandria Bay public ramp and the Keewaydin State Park ramp cover the middle islands, and the Cape Vincent village ramp is the main access to the head of the river. The Chippewa Bay ramp serves the lower end. Fish are concentrating on the deeper shoals in 20 to 40 feet and on the weed edges at dawn and dusk. Check current New York DEC regulations before keeping fish — muskie have a large minimum size and a strong release ethic on the river, and the bass, walleye, and pike seasons and limits should be confirmed. A Canadian license is required for any water on the Ontario side.
This Week’s Tip
Muskie on the deep shoals in September are following the bait, not sitting on the structure. Troll the edge of the shoal where the depth drops from 20 to 40 feet and watch your electronics for the bait balls. When you mark bait, make repeated passes along that edge at different depths. The fish are where the bait is, and the bait moves.
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