A river weekend from Rochester.

Rochester sits right on Lake Ontario, and charter boats run trout and salmon trips right off its shoreline. So why drive 3 hours to fish somewhere else? Because the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands is a whole different kind of day on the water. Different fish, different water, and a lunch tradition you can't get anywhere else.

Here's how to plan it from Rochester.

How is this different from a Lake Ontario charter out of Rochester?

Most charter fishing out of Rochester is on the open water of Lake Ontario. The target is trout and salmon. The New York State DEC (opens in a new tab) says trolling is the preferred method on the lake because it's so big. In summer, king salmon (Chinook) can be 100 feet down or deeper, over 500 feet of water. By late summer, the kings gather off the river mouths before their fall run.

If you want a big king salmon, stay home. Lake Ontario is the place for that.

The St. Lawrence is a river, and it fishes like one.

• Different fish. DEC calls smallmouth bass the most commonly caught fish on the St. Lawrence. You'll also find northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, and musky. See the fish guide for what each one looks like.
• Sheltered water. You fish around islands, rocky points, and weed beds. On a windy day, there's often a calm side of an island to tuck in behind. That's a big help for anyone who gets seasick on open water.
• A real shore dinner. On a half day plus shore dinner, you fish for about 4 hours. Then the guide cooks your catch on an island, with BLTs, salt potatoes, and French toast with local maple syrup. It's a river guide tradition that goes back to the late 1800s.
• Castles and cottages. Boldt Castle sits on Heart Island, just off Alexandria Bay. You'll pass summer homes built on islands barely bigger than the house.

Think of it this way. Lake Ontario is about the big fish down deep. The river is about steady action up close, and the scenery around you.

Which way should you drive from Rochester?

The usual route is Route 104 east, then I-81 north. Route 104 runs east across the counties just south of the Lake Ontario shore, and it skips the Thruway tolls. It's about 158 miles to Alexandria Bay, or about 3 to 3½ hours.

The other way is the Thruway (I-90) east to Syracuse, then I-81 north. Check a live map before you leave and take whichever is faster that day.

Is one night enough? A weekend plan

One night is enough. Two is better. Here's a plan that works both ways.

Friday

• Leave Rochester after work. You'll be in Alexandria Bay in about 3 to 3½ hours.
• Check in and walk down to the waterfront. Alexandria Bay has hotels, motels, inns, and cottage rentals. Summer weekends book up early.

Saturday

• Meet the boat at Bonnie Castle Marina, Boathouse 3. That's where most trips leave from. Captain Richard Drake confirms the time when you book.
• Fish a half day and finish with a shore dinner on an island. For four people, that's $870.
• If it's a one-night trip, head home after dinner. You'll be back in Rochester by late evening.

Sunday (if you stay two nights)

• Take a private Boldt Castle boat tour. It runs about 4 hours, just your group, past Boldt Castle, Millionaires' Row, and the islands. It's $450 for 1 or 2 people.
• Or book a second half day of fishing. Then drive home in the afternoon.

When should Rochester anglers come?

Rochester anglers already think in seasons, so here's the river's calendar on the New York side.

• May to mid-June: Pike and walleye. Bass fishing is closed until June 15, even catch and release.
• Mid-June through summer: Smallmouth bass, pike, and perch. Shore dinner season. Boldt Castle is open from mid-May to mid-October.
• Late September through November: Prime time for musky, trolled on 5-hour trips. Fall pike fishing is good too. Bass season closes after November 30.
• About January into March: Ice fishing for perch, pike, and walleye, when the ice is safe.

Seasons and limits change, so check the current NYSDEC rules for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence (opens in a new tab) before your trip.

Trip ideas for Rochester groups

Couples. Fish in the morning, then take a sunset cruise past the castle. The couples getaway page lays out a relaxed two-day plan.

Friends. A boat holds up to 6 people, so the cost splits nicely. A half day for six is $600 for the whole boat, split six ways. The girls' getaway page has ideas for a weekend with friends, with or without much fishing.

First-timers. About 80% of Laurentian Tours customers are beginners. The guide supplies the boat, rods, reels, tackle, bait, life jackets, cold water, and light snacks. You bring a license, a jacket, and a camera.

What to bring and how to book

• A New York fishing license for everyone 16 and older. It's the same license you'd use on Lake Ontario.
• Layers and rain gear. It's cooler on the water than on shore.
• A cooler with ice, if you want to bring fish home. Captain Richard can clean and package your fish on request.

To book, call or text 315-836-5798 (texting is best), or use the form at /#book. There's no deposit. If the weather turns bad, he reschedules. All prices are on the rates page.

Frequently asked questions