Capital Region folks have plenty of water nearby. Lake George, Saratoga Lake, and the Hudson are all close. So a weekend in the Thousand Islands isn't about finding somewhere to fish. It's about a big river, a string of islands, a castle, and a lunch cooked over a fire on the rocks. And the drive up is part of the fun.
The drive from Albany: I-90 to Utica, then Route 12
From Albany, take I-90 (the Thruway) west to Utica. Then head north on Route 12. It's about 197 miles in all, or about 3½ to 4 hours.
Route 12 is the scenic part. North of Utica it heads up into the hills, then follows the Black River valley through Boonville and Lowville on the western edge of the Adirondacks. From there it runs to Watertown and on toward the St. Lawrence. Much of it is two-lane road through farms, woods, and small towns. In the fall, with the leaves turning, it's a pretty drive.
Prefer interstates the whole way? You can stay on I-90 west to Syracuse and take I-81 north. Check a live map to see which is faster that day.
A weekend plan from Albany
At 3½ to 4 hours each way, a two-night weekend works best. Here's a simple plan.
Friday: drive up
Leave after work and take Route 12 north while there's still light. Alexandria Bay has hotels, motels, inns, and cottage rentals. Summer weekends book up early, so reserve your room first.
Saturday: fish, then shore dinner
Meet Captain Richard Drake at Bonnie Castle Marina, Boathouse 3, where most trips leave from. He confirms the start time when you book. Fish for about 4 hours for smallmouth bass, pike, walleye, or perch. Then he pulls up to an island and cooks a shore dinner: BLTs with local tomato, a tossed salad with Thousand Island dressing, the morning's catch fried golden brown, salt potatoes with butter, French toast with local maple syrup, and campfire coffee.
A half day plus shore dinner for two people is $710.
Sunday: the castle, then home
Take a private Boldt Castle boat tour. It's about 4 hours, just your group, past Boldt Castle, Millionaires' Row, and the islands. You set the pace. Or, from mid-May to mid-October, take a boat out to Heart Island and walk through the castle itself. Then head home in the afternoon.
How is it different from Lake George or Saratoga Lake?
Your home lakes are good fishing, and it's fair to say so.
- Lake George has a strong, naturally reproducing lake trout population and is stocked with landlocked salmon. The New York State DEC (opens in a new tab) also ranks it among the top five bass waters in the state.
- Saratoga Lake produces good smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike, says DEC's Saratoga Lake page (opens in a new tab). DEC stocks about 13 million walleye there each year.
- The Hudson gets a run of striped bass every spring.
So what's different up north?
- It's a river, not a lake. The St. Lawrence flows, and fish set up on current, shoals, and island points. It feels nothing like still water.
- Musky. The St. Lawrence is musky water. Laurentian Tours runs 5-hour musky trips from late September through November, the prime time.
- A different setting. You fish among islands with cottages on them, ships passing in the channel, and a castle in view.
- The shore dinner. River guides here have cooked lunch on the islands since the late 1800s. It's a Thousand Islands tradition, and it's the meal people talk about on the drive home.
What's the best season to come up from the Capital Region?
| When | What to plan |
|---|---|
| May to mid-June | Pike and walleye fishing. Bass is closed on the St. Lawrence until June 15, even catch and release. |
| Mid-June to August | Bass, pike, perch, shore dinners, sunset cruises, and Boldt Castle. |
| Late September to November | Musky prime time, good fall pike, and the Route 12 drive in color. Bass closes after November 30. |
| Fall into winter | Guided duck and goose hunts. Check DEC for current seasons. |
| About January into March | Ice fishing in a heated shanty, if the ice is safe. |
Check the current NYSDEC regulations (opens in a new tab) for the St. Lawrence before you go. Rules change.
Trip ideas for Albany-area groups
Couples. Fish Saturday, cruise Sunday, and catch a sunset from the water. The couples getaway page has more ideas.
Families. Kids are welcome, and there are life jackets in every size. For a big family weekend with more than 6 people, Captain Richard can bring in a second guide and boat. See the family reunion page.
First-timers. Most of Captain Richard's customers are beginners. The trip includes the boat, rods, reels, tackle, bait, life jackets, cold water, and light snacks. You don't need to know a thing.
What to bring from home
- A New York fishing license for anyone 16 or older.
- Warm layers and rain gear. Even on a summer day, it feels cooler on the water than in town once the boat is moving. In the fall, bring a hat and gloves.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses. The glare off the water is strong.
- A cooler with ice if you plan to keep fish. Captain Richard can clean and package them on request.
- Cash or a card for the castle. Boldt Castle admission and the boat ride out to it are separate from your fishing trip.
To book, call or text 315-836-5798 (texting is best), or use the form at /#book. There's no deposit. If the weather is bad, he reschedules.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Thousand Islands from Albany?
Alexandria Bay is about 197 miles from Albany. The drive takes about 3½ to 4 hours on I-90 west to Utica, then Route 12 north.
Can we do it as a day trip from Albany?
You can, but it's a long day: 7 to 8 hours of driving plus at least 4 hours on the water. One or two nights is much more fun.
I fish Lake George all the time. Will I learn anything new?
Probably. Fishing a big river with current is different from a lake. You'll also have a shot at pike and, in the fall, musky.
Do I need a different license than I use at home?
No. A New York fishing license covers the New York side of the St. Lawrence. Anyone 16 or older needs one. It doesn't cover the Ontario side.
When is the drive prettiest?
Fall, when the leaves turn along Route 12. That's also musky season on the river, so it's a good time to plan a trip.
Ready to pick a date? See every trip and price, or call or text Captain Richard at 315-836-5798. No deposit.