Montreal anglers already know the St. Lawrence. A trip to the Thousand Islands just takes you upstream, to where the river leaves Lake Ontario and winds through the islands.
Laurentian Tours is a fishing guide service in Alexandria Bay, on the New York side. Here's how to plan a weekend there from Montreal.
How do you get there from Montreal?
Head west on Autoroute 20. At the Ontario line it becomes Highway 401. Then you have two places to cross into New York:
- Prescott. You reach it first. Cross the Ogdensburg–Prescott International Bridge, clear U.S. customs in Ogdensburg, and follow Route 37 southwest along the river. Near Morristown, Route 12 takes you into Alexandria Bay.
- The Thousand Islands Bridge. Stay on the 401 a bit longer and exit onto Highway 137 near Ivy Lea. U.S. customs is on Wellesley Island, a short drive from Alexandria Bay.
Either one works. Pick the one with the shorter line that day. U.S. Customs and Border Protection posts live wait times (opens in a new tab) for both, and the Canada Border Services Agency posts wait times for the trip home.
Plan on 3 to 3½ hours of driving, plus the border.
Border ID and license rules
Entering the U.S. Per CBP (opens in a new tab), Canadian citizens crossing by land can show a valid passport, a NEXUS card, or an enhanced driver's license. Canadian kids under 16 can use a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship.
Coming home. The Canada Border Services Agency (opens in a new tab) advises Canadians to carry a valid passport on every trip abroad, including the U.S.
Your Quebec license won't work here. New York's DEC requires a New York fishing license (opens in a new tab) for anyone 16 or older who fishes in the state. A Quebec license doesn't cover New York water, and a New York license doesn't cover Quebec or Ontario water. Nonresidents can buy 1-day, 7-day, or 1-year licenses online. See our fishing license guide for help picking one.
Bringing fish home. Canada's food rules for travelers say you must declare all food you bring in, fish included. Limits apply, so check CBSA's current rules before you fill the cooler.
Money. All trip prices are in U.S. dollars. There's no deposit and nothing to pay online.
Why go upriver when you fish the St. Lawrence at home?
It's a fair question. Montreal has good fishing close by. Outdoor Canada lists Lac des Deux Montagnes, the St. Lawrence through Montreal, and Lac Saint-Pierre (opens in a new tab) as local hot spots for pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, and more.
The Thousand Islands is the same river, but it fishes differently:
- Islands everywhere. Rocky points, shoals, and weedy bays sit around every island. Pike and bass hang on those edges.
- No boat, no gear needed. Your guide brings the boat, rods, reels, tackle, bait, and life jackets.
- A local who knows the water. Captain Richard Drake has run boats on this river for over 40 years. He's a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain and a New York State licensed outdoor guide.
- The shore dinner. After a morning of fishing, your guide cooks the catch over a fire on an island. Guides here have done it since the late 1800s.
- Boldt Castle. The castle on Heart Island sits just off the Alexandria Bay docks.
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A sample weekend from Montreal
Friday. Leave in the afternoon and cross at Prescott or the Thousand Islands Bridge. Alexandria Bay has hotels, motels, inns, and cottage rentals; summer weekends book up early.
Saturday. Spend the day on the water. A full-day charter is 7 hours for pike, bass, walleye, and perch. It runs $650 for one person up to $900 for six. Pack a lunch. Water and light snacks are on board.
Sunday. Take it easy. A private Boldt Castle boat tour runs about 4 hours past the castle and the big summer homes on the islands. It's $450 for 1 or 2 people, $500 for 3 or 4, and $575 for 5 or 6. Then drive home.
Want less driving on Sunday? Do a morning half day with a shore dinner on Saturday instead, from $630, and head home early Sunday.
When should you come?
| When | What's biting | Note |
|---|---|---|
| May to mid-June | Pike, walleye | Bass fishing on the St. Lawrence is closed until June 15 |
| Mid-June to August | Bass, pike, walleye, perch | Busiest time on the river and at the border |
| Late September to November | Musky, pike | Prime musky season and fall color |
| January into March | Perch, pike, walleye through the ice | Depends on the ice |
These seasons follow the NYSDEC regulations (opens in a new tab) for the New York side. Check the current rules before you go, since New York and Quebec set their own seasons.
Fall is a good time for a Montreal trip. The summer crowds are gone, and a five-hour musky trip is a shot at the biggest fish in the river. Our post on fall musky fishing explains how it works. Musky are hard to catch, though. If you want steady action, a fall day for pike is a better bet, and fall pike fishing on the St. Lawrence is some of the best of the year.
Winter works too. An ice fishing trip runs 4 hours, usually 7 to 11 AM, in a heated shanty with a meal cooked on the ice. With a 3-hour drive and the border, plan to come down the night before. Captain Richard only goes out on ice he's confident in, and he'll reschedule if it isn't safe.
Coming as a couple? See our couples' getaway ideas. Planning with the girls? Try the girls' getaway page.
Frequently asked questions
Which bridge is better from Montreal?
Either works. Prescott comes first on the 401, and the Thousand Islands Bridge is a little farther west. Check the wait times and pick the shorter line.
Can I use my Quebec fishing license in Alexandria Bay?
No. Anyone 16 or older needs a New York license to fish New York water. You can buy a 1-day or 7-day nonresident license online.
Do I pay in Canadian dollars?
No. Prices are in U.S. dollars, and there's no deposit. Ask Captain Richard how he'd like to be paid when you book.
Can I bring my fish back to Montreal?
You must declare all food at the Canadian border, and limits apply. Check CBSA's current rules. Captain Richard can clean and package your catch on request.
How many people can come?
Up to 6 per boat. For bigger groups, Captain Richard brings in a second Alexandria Bay Fishing Guides Association guide and boat. Give him some notice.
Ready to pick a date? See every trip and price, or call or text Captain Richard at 315-836-5798. No deposit.