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Fishing charters · Thousand Islands, NY

St. Lawrence River fishing charters.

Laurentian Tours runs half-day and full-day fishing charters on the St. Lawrence River from Alexandria Bay, New York. Captain Richard Drake, a USCG-licensed captain and New York licensed fishing guide, has fished these islands for more than 30 years. He handles the boat, the gear, and the hard parts, so you can just fish.

Request a trip Call or text 315-836-5798
  • Half day: 4 hrs
  • Full day: 7 hrs
  • Up to 6 per boat
  • All gear provided
  • From $475
How it works

How a charter works.

No deposit and no gear to buy. Show up ready to fish.

  1. Send a request or text

    Fill out the booking form, or call or text Richard. He'll confirm your date. No deposit.

  2. Climb aboard

    Most trips leave from Bonnie Castle Marina, Boathouse 3, in Alexandria Bay. Richard confirms the time. Cold water and light snacks are on board.

  3. Richard finds the fish

    He picks spots for the season, rigs the rods, coaches you through every fish, and handles the net.

  4. Fish cleaned & packaged

    Keep what you'd like to eat, within the legal limits, and Richard cleans and packages it on request.

Good to know

What you'll catch.

It depends on the season. Spring brings northern pike and walleye. Summer is smallmouth bass season, the fish the St. Lawrence is famous for, from July into September. Fall brings big pike, walleye, and musky. Perch and rock bass are around all season, and kids love them.

Not sure which trip to pick? A half day is the best fit for first-timers and kids. A full day gives you time to try more spots and wait out a slow bite. And if you want the classic Thousand Islands day, fish the morning and finish with a shore dinner on an island.

Pick your trip

Trips & pricing.

Best first trip

Half day

from $475

4 hours. $475 for one angler, $500 for two, up to $600 for six.

Book a half day
Most fish

Full day

from $650

7 hours. $650 for one angler, $700 for two, up to $900 for six.

Book a full day
The classic

Half day + shore dinner

from $630

4 hours of fishing, then dinner on an island. $630 for one, up to $1,030 for six.

Book a shore dinner

Prices are per boat (up to 6 people), not per person, and follow the Alexandria Bay Fishing Guides Association rates. See all rates.

What's included.

We provide

  • Boat & USCG captain
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Bait
  • Cold water & light snacks
  • Life jackets (all sizes)
  • Fish cleaning & packaging

You bring

  • Fishing license (ages 16+)
  • Layers & rain gear
  • Non-slip shoes
  • Hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
  • A cooler for your catch
  • A camera

Bigger group? Bring everyone.

Richard's boat takes up to 6. For bigger groups, reunions, and company outings, he brings in another Alexandria Bay Fishing Guides Association guide and boat so everyone fishes the same day. Just mention your group size when you book.

Licenses & limits

Anyone 16 or older needs a fishing license; kids under 16 don't. Most trips fish New York water, so a New York license is usually what you need; depending on where the fish are, Richard may suggest an Ontario license instead. Seasons and size limits differ by species, so Richard keeps you on the right side of the rules.

NYSDEC fishing rules → 

Real trips

From Richard's camera.

Photos from Richard's own trips with customers on the St. Lawrence.

Angler on Richard's boat holding a large smallmouth bass, with castle turrets in the background
Fall smallmouthA heavy bronzeback for a happy angler
Grinning angler in red gloves holding up a fish in front of a wooded island
Fishing charterThat first-fish grin
Angler holding a smallmouth bass with a cargo ship passing on the river behind
Fishing charterAnother St. Lawrence smallmouth in the boat
Angler fishing from the boat with the sun low over the water
Fishing charterLast light on the river
Questions

Good questions, straight answers.

Still wondering about something? Richard is happy to talk it over. Call or text anytime.

315-836-5798
Is the St. Lawrence River good for smallmouth bass?
It's one of the best smallmouth rivers in the country. The Thousand Islands are full of rocky shoals and drop-offs where bronzebacks feed all summer and into the fall. New York's regular bass season opens the third Saturday in June.
How much should I tip my fishing guide?
Tips aren't required, but they're appreciated. Many guests tip around 15 to 20 percent of the trip price for a good day. See how much to tip a fishing guide.
How much does a fishing charter cost on the St. Lawrence River?
With Laurentian Tours, a half day (4 hours) is $475 for one person up to $600 for six, and a full day (7 hours) is $650 to $900. A half day with a traditional shore dinner runs $630 to $1,030. Prices are for the whole boat.
What fish can we catch?
Smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, and rock bass, plus musky in the fall. See the St. Lawrence fish guide for what bites when.
When is the best time to fish the Thousand Islands?
There's good fishing from May through November. Smallmouth bass peak from July into September, and pike and walleye are best in spring and again in fall.
Should we book a half day or a full day?
A half day is the best fit for first-timers and kids. A full day gives you time to try more spots and wait out a slow bite, and it's the better pick for groups who already love to fish.
Can you take a group bigger than 6?
Yes, with advance notice. Richard brings in another Alexandria Bay guide and boat so everyone can fish together.
What's included?
The boat, a USCG-licensed captain, rods, reels, tackle, and bait, life jackets, cold bottled water and light snacks, and fish cleaning and packaging on request.
Do you take a deposit?
No. Send a request or text Richard, and he'll confirm your date.
Where do fishing charters leave from?
Most trips leave from Bonnie Castle Marina, Boathouse 3, in Alexandria Bay. Richard confirms the meeting time when he books your trip.
Do I need a fishing license?
Anyone 16 or older needs a fishing license; kids under 16 don't. Most trips fish New York water, so a New York license is usually what you need; depending on where the fish are, Richard may suggest an Ontario license instead. See which license you need.

Ready when you are.

No deposit. Richard will call or text to confirm the details.

Request a trip
More from Laurentian Tours
Family & beginner chartersShore dinnersFall musky tripsAll rates