It’s a fishing day

St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands) fishing conditions · New York

Now until 7 amSmallmouth bass

The bite peaks at 90.

Log a trip here
Right now: 90 for smallmouth bass, go · inside the best windowTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Smallmouth bass, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 903 am
  2. 90
  3. 90
  4. 906 am
  5. 80
  6. 80
  7. 809 am
  8. 77
  9. 77
  10. 7712 pm
  11. 77
  12. 80
  13. 803 pm
  14. 80
  15. 80
  16. 806 pm
  17. 80
  18. 80
  19. 809 pm
  20. 80
  21. 80
  22. 80Tue
  23. 72
  24. 72
  25. 723 am
  26. 80
  27. 80
  28. 726 am
  29. 72
  30. 72
  31. 809 am
  32. 80
  33. 80
  34. 8012 pm
  35. 80
  36. 80
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now · best window

Water
No reading

Smallmouth bass range 55–78°

Wind
5 mph

From the south

Light
Dark

Sunrise 7:32 am

Sky
Partly Cloudy

No rain expected

Air
45°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
100% lit

Full

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are New York regulations for these waters.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu

90GoNow until 7 am

Water

No water reading here right now. Smallmouth bass bite in 55–78° water, best near 68°.

Why

Smallmouth bass is showing up in this week's state fishing report for the area. Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 3–30 ft down.

Keep

12" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. New York statewide: 12" minimum, 5 black bass a day combined, Jun 15–Nov 30; Dec 1–Jun 14 catch and release with artificial lures only. Lake Champlain opens the second Saturday in June; the St. Lawrence is closed to bass fishing Dec 1–Jun 14.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · New York

Season here: Apr–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on smallmouth bass

Walleye

Walleye

Sander vitreus

90GoNow until 7 am

Water

No water reading here right now. Walleye bite in 50–72° water, best near 62°.

Why

Walleye is showing up in this week's state fishing report for the area. Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 10–40 ft down.

Keep

15" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. New York statewide, Oneida Lake included: 15" minimum, 5 walleye a day, May 1–Mar 15; closed to all walleye fishing Mar 16–Apr 30. Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence are 18" and 3 a day.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · New York

Season here: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on walleye

Common Carp

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

78Worth the tripNow until 7 am

Water

No water reading here right now. Common carp bite in 52–86° water, best near 72°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 1–15 ft down.

Keep

no daily limit

Open. Keep fish within the limits. New York statewide: carp are open all year, any size, any number.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · New York

Last checked 8 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Sep, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on common carp

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • Barometer30.30 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunrise today7:32 am
  • Sunset today6:02 pm
  • MoonFull, 100% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 7:40 am–8:40 am
  • Major solunarToday 12:00 pm–2:00 pm
  • Minor solunarToday 5:20 pm–6:20 pm

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

New York DEC report, undated

Names smallmouth bass, walleye, which people fish for here. It covers the whole state, so it may not describe these waters.

Read it at New York DEC

Licenses and rules: state fishery agencies · fish-consumption advisory

About this spot

The mighty St. Lawrence through the Thousand Islands — world-class smallmouth bass over the shoals, trophy muskellunge and northern pike in the weed beds, plus walleye and panfish. Big, clear current water on the New York–Ontario border.

New York: smallmouth 12" minimum, 5 a day Jun 15–Nov 30, and no bass fishing at all Dec 1–Jun 14; walleye 18" minimum, 3 a day. The river also holds trophy muskie and pike under their own seasons.

Nearby

The closest public spots we cover, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Selkirk Shores State Park54 mi · New YorkBest now until 7 am
100Go
Oneida Lake76 mi · New YorkBest today 11 am to tomorrow 10 am
86Go
Cayuga Lake117 mi · New YorkBest now until 7 am
96Go
Lake Champlain125 mi · New YorkBest now until 7 am
96Go
Lake Champlain (Burlington)134 mi · VermontBest now until 6 am
84Worth the trip
Beaverkill River169 mi · New YorkBest today 11 am–12 am
80Worth the trip

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands)?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands)?

St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands) is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Common Carp. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands)?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands) have?

St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. New York: smallmouth 12" minimum, 5 a day Jun 15–Nov 30, and no bass fishing at all Dec 1–Jun 14; walleye 18" minimum, 3 a day. The river also holds trophy muskie and pike under their own seasons.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands)?

state agency regulations apply at St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands) tidal water?

No. St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.