I live in Pennsylvania and want to take my boat up to the thousand Islands. Does anyone know where and what time of year. Also what is the name of a public boat launch? 

I fish it all year except winter. The best time is the fall.

 

Check out Kring Point State Park. They have a sheltered ramp just east of Alexandria Bay.  https://parks.ny.gov/parks/kringpoint/maps.aspx

 

Also, check the regulations about crossing the water into Canada. I think the Canadian side is the best fishing, but the Canadians have not been hospitable lately. 

On 7/16/2025 at 2:29 PM, Dogface said:

Also, check the regulations about crossing the water into Canada. I think the Canadian side is the best fishing, but the Canadians have not been hospitable lately. 

Weird.  We think it’s the Americans who are not being hospitable.🤷🏼‍♂️ Gotta love politics. 🤮 

 

You would need an Ontario non-resident fishing license to fish our side of the imaginary line.  But the grass is always greener on the other side - we read about how great the fishing is on the NY side. lol. There is so much great water, just come up and give it a go.  I’ve been over to the Alexandria Bay area a lot in the past, great people and very friendly.  Hopefully I’ll be back over there again as part of my regular routine, but the stories about Ontarians having their trucks keyed and tires slashed on day trips to NY have kept me away.🙁

On 7/27/2025 at 12:40 PM, The Baron said:

Weird.  We think it’s the Americans who are not being hospitable.🤷🏼‍♂️ Gotta love politics. 🤮 

 

You would need an Ontario non-resident fishing license to fish our side of the imaginary line.  But the grass is always greener on the other side - we read about how great the fishing is on the NY side. lol. There is so much great water, just come up and give it a go.  I’ve been over to the Alexandria Bay area a lot in the past, great people and very friendly.  Hopefully I’ll be back over there again as part of my regular routine, but the stories about Ontarians having their trucks keyed and tires slashed on day trips to NY have kept me away.🙁

 

On 7/27/2025 at 12:40 PM, The Baron said:

Weird.  We think it’s the Americans who are not being hospitable.🤷🏼‍♂️ Gotta love politics. 🤮 

 

 

 

I should have emphasized I was talking about border crossings and the LE on the St Lawrence. I was not referring to the people of Canada a few of whom are personal friends.  

 

I have been fishing and hunting in Canada since the mid 1960's. But in the last few years everything has changed. To the point I am not going to spend my money in Canada. 

That’ll show ‘em.  

I find it amazing that after many years of having Canada as our closest and best neighbor, there is now animosity. I understand animosity between governments (politics suck, and that is the ONLY political comment I will make) but I have never, ever, had a problem with the people of Canada.

My only problem with Canada is the wildfire smoke. LOL

 

But this topic is beginning to cross the border into politics (see what I did there?).  Let's keep it fishing focused.

On 7/16/2025 at 2:29 PM, Dogface said:

I fish it all year except winter. The best time is the fall.

 

Check out Kring Point State Park. They have a sheltered ramp just east of Alexandria Bay.  https://parks.ny.gov/parks/kringpoint/maps.aspx

 

Also, check the regulations about crossing the water into Canada. I think the Canadian side is the best fishing, but the Canadians have not been hospitable lately. 

 

I stayed at Cedar Point state park a few years ago, but ended up spending a few days fishing for largemouths in Goose Bay - there's not a lot of bays I can easily fish from a kayak in that area. I stopped to refill my water at Kring point state park a few times though.

 

At least back in 2021, if you got caught in Canadian water they'd take your boat and detain you, so I'd definitely pay attention to the rules and the border.

 

I do recommend going to Singer castle and Boldt castle when you're up there.

3 hours ago, Boomstick said:

 

At least back in 2021, if you got caught in Canadian water they'd take your boat and detain you, so I'd definitely pay attention to the rules and the border.

 

 

 

I had friends who had Ontario fishing licenses and crossed the St Lawrence to Ontario from NY to fish. They were threatened with arrest for crossing the line to fish with an Ontario license. It is a shame relations have deteriorated to this point with our northern neighbor. 

3 hours ago, Boomstick said:

 

I stayed at Cedar Point state park a few years ago, but ended up spending a few days fishing for largemouths in Goose Bay - there's not a lot of bays I can easily fish from a kayak in that area. I stopped to refill my water at Kring point state park a few times though.

 

 

 

I like fishing the river but Goose Bay has saved many trips for me when the weather was nasty or the fish were not cooperating in the river. It is great for both LM and SM. 

22 minutes ago, Dogface said:

They were threatened with arrest for crossing the line to fish with an Ontario license.

 

Justifiably too.  You cannot legally fish in another country without a valid license.

 

LEOs have jobs to do and they are going to enforce the laws and rules.  I would expect nothing less.

12 minutes ago, gim said:

 

Justifiably too.  You cannot legally fish in another country without a valid license.

 

LEOs have jobs to do and they are going to enforce the laws and rules.  I would expect nothing less.

They were from New York & had Ontario fishing licenses. I think you misread it. Totally legal. 

I definitely missed that part.

I even re-read this thread and still missed it lol

 

Nevermind I see it now.  My apologies.