From Toronto, the Thousand Islands is a straight run east on Highway 401. Most of the drive is in Ontario. The last few miles take you over the river on the Thousand Islands Bridge and into New York.
That short hop across the border changes the trip. You fish the New York side of the St. Lawrence with Laurentian Tours, a guide service in Alexandria Bay. You don't need a boat, gear, or any fishing experience.
How do you get from Toronto to Alexandria Bay?
Take Highway 401 east past Kingston and Gananoque. Near Ivy Lea, exit onto Highway 137. It carries you over the islands to Hill Island and the Thousand Islands Bridge.
The Thousand Islands Bridge is really a chain of bridges. The border is a short span between Hill Island (Canada) and Wellesley Island (U.S.). U.S. customs sits on Wellesley Island. After that, it's a short drive to Alexandria Bay.
Plan on about 3½ to 4 hours of driving, plus the border wait. The wait can be quick or slow. Summer weekends tend to be the busiest. U.S. Customs and Border Protection posts live border wait times (opens in a new tab) for the bridge, so check before you leave the 401.
What ID do Canadians need to cross?
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (opens in a new tab), Canadian citizens driving into the U.S. can show:
- A valid passport
- A NEXUS card (or another trusted traveler card)
- An enhanced driver's license
Canadian kids under 16 can use a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship at a land border. A photocopy works for them, per CBP.
Coming home, the Canada Border Services Agency (opens in a new tab) tells Canadians to carry a valid passport for every trip abroad, including the U.S. Rules can change, so check both pages before you go.
Do you need a New York fishing license?
Yes, if you're 16 or older. Your Ontario license and Outdoors Card don't count on the New York side. New York's DEC says anyone 16 or older who fishes in New York needs a New York fishing license (opens in a new tab). The border runs down the middle of the river, and your license has to match the water you're on.
Nonresident licenses come in 1-day, 7-day, and 1-year versions. Buy one online before you leave and keep it on your phone. Our fishing license guide explains your options.
A few other things to know:
- Prices are in U.S. dollars. That goes for every trip and for your New York license.
- Bringing fish home. Canada's food rules for travelers say you must declare all food you bring in, and fish counts. Limits apply, so check CBSA's current rules before you pack the cooler.
- No deposit. Nothing is paid online. You settle up with Captain Richard Drake directly.
Why drive past Lake Simcoe for this?
Toronto anglers have great water close to home. Lake Simcoe is one of Ontario's busiest fishing lakes, known for lake trout, whitefish, perch, and smallmouth bass. If you want a quick winter perch day, Simcoe is closer, and that's fair.
The St. Lawrence is a different kind of trip:
- Big river water. You fish current, rocky shoals, and weed edges around hundreds of islands.
- Several species in one day. A half day might bring smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, and perch.
- Fall musky. Late September through November is prime time for musky trips, five hours of trolling for the biggest fish in the river.
- The shore dinner. Your guide cooks the morning's catch over a fire on an island, a river tradition since the late 1800s.
- Boldt Castle. The castle on Heart Island is a few minutes from the dock.
Captain Richard Drake has been running 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.
A sample weekend from Toronto
At 3½ to 4 hours plus the border, a two-night trip works best. Here's one way to do it.
Friday. Leave after work or at lunch. Cross the bridge in the evening and check in. Alexandria Bay has hotels, motels, inns, and cottage rentals; summer weekends book up early.
Saturday. Take a half day with a shore dinner. That's about 4 hours of fishing, then dinner on an island. It runs $630 for one person up to $1,030 for six.
Sunday. Book a morning half-day charter, or see the islands on a private Boldt Castle boat tour. Then head back to the bridge and home.
Want more fishing? Swap Saturday for a full day: 7 hours, $650 for one up to $900 for six. Pack a lunch.
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When should Toronto anglers come?
| Season | What to book | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| May to mid-June | Pike and walleye | Bass fishing is closed on the St. Lawrence until June 15 |
| Mid-June to August | Bass, pike, walleye, perch | Peak season. Book early, and expect border lines |
| September to November | Musky, pike, fall bass | Quiet river and fall color |
| January into March | Ice fishing | Depends on the ice. Heated shanty and a hot meal |
Winter is worth a look. An ice fishing trip runs 4 hours, usually 7 to 11 AM, so plan to stay the night before. Captain Richard only goes on ice he's confident in. Perch are the main catch, with pike and walleye too.
Season dates come from NYSDEC. Check the current regulations (opens in a new tab) before you go.
Coming with a crew?
Each boat takes up to 6 people. For bigger groups, Captain Richard brings in a second guide from the Alexandria Bay Fishing Guides Association, with a second boat. Give him some notice.
Planning a trip with friends? See our guys' fishing trip ideas. Coming as two? Try the couples' getaway page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my Ontario fishing license in Alexandria Bay?
No. New York requires its own license for anyone 16 or older. An Ontario license doesn't cover New York water.
Are the trip prices in Canadian dollars?
No. All prices are in U.S. dollars, and you pay Captain Richard directly. There's no deposit.
Do my kids need passports to cross?
Not to enter the U.S. by land. CBP lets Canadian kids under 16 use a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. Check CBSA's rules for the trip home too.
Can I bring my fish back to Toronto?
Possibly. You must declare all food at the Canadian border, and limits apply. Check CBSA's current rules before your trip. Captain Richard can clean and package your catch on request.
Is it worth the drive for one day?
It's a long day. With 7 to 8 hours of round-trip driving plus the border, most people from Toronto stay at least one night.
Ready to pick a date? See every trip and price, or call or text Captain Richard at 315-836-5798. No deposit.