Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

[wvmedic]

Anyone know about the Walleye fishing in the area, and what time of the year is best?

I can?t make up my mind if I want to go south this summer and fish the salt, or go north and fish for Walleye. I?m not much of a beach person, the wife likes it though. I really like it in the north the scenery is awesome, the granite, the pines and the Walleye. I think the Wife just doesn?t like the longer drive up north, but once we get there and she is fishing she is happy. She would rather fish than eat I believe.

So any help with some info would be grate, I?m not asking for anyone?s honey hole, just some good info on the fishery. Like what month and if the fishing in the area is good, or maybe I would be better looking elsewhere for Walleye.

We plan on camping and have been looking at Wellesley Island state park, also we will be bringing our own boat.

Thanks Jeff

 

[Tig]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Right now is the best time for walleye, not so good for boating though.
Spring and late fall are also good. After mid July walleye tends to fall off. I've fished the St Lawrence and waters around Wellesley in the 90s, but mostly for musky. I do recall that in the St Lawrence that we generally found walleye 10' deeper than the smallies in summer. 25' for bass and 35' for walleye rings a bell.
Oh, and if you cross into Canadian waters you'll be fishing for pickerel.

 

[wvmedic]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Thanks for the reply Tig. Also from what I have read if you cross over into Canada, you will not only be fishing for pickerel but will need an Ontario fishing license as well.

Jeff.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Also from what I have read if you cross over into Canada, you will not only be fishing for pickerel but will need an Ontario fishing license as well.

Ayuh,... The 1000 Islands Bait store at exit 50 will do a 1 day, or less, turn around if you don't want to cross the border to find a licence...

Not that I haven't spent time on the river, I'm more of a Lake boater/ fisherman,...
My place is on Chaumont Bay,..
On the river, like the lake,... The Eyes are always there,... Tactics,+ spots change through out the year, but they're There...

Google up Clayton ny,+ Alexandria Bay,... Clayton village has a decent website with lots of related info,... I'm sure A-bay does as well...

Over the years, probably the most productive spot on the river for me has been between Carlton Is.,+ Grindstone Is.. There's a series of humps running from 20' to 120' or more,... The Eagle Wing group on the charts...
A heavy jig dragged worm or minnow can bring up about ANYTHING that swims the St. Lawrence....
3 to 10lb Wallys,... Bass to 6lbs or more,... Pike, Muskys,... I once winched in a 30+lb Cat outa there...

Out in front of Chinewalker's house is another Great spot,... Fisher's Landing,+ the American Narrows....

Good Luck....

 

[wvmedic]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Bond-O, I was hoping you would chime in. I have read that the shoals might be a better bet for the eyes, is that accurate? If so the problem is I don?t know where they are, and would my SS be enough boat to get to the shoals?

Thanks for you?re replying.
Jeff

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Ayuh,... A 12' rowboat will get you to the Eagle Wings...
That boat in your avatar will get you Anywhere in the 1000 Islands you wanta Go...
A Big Blow will force you behind the islands,+ boat wakes might make it uncomfortable at times,...
But, Your barge is Plenty of boat for the area...

Pull up Google Earth,... Then find Clayton Ny...
Directly north of the village, 2/3rds the way to Grindstone Is., is Carlton Is... It's a good sized island,.. Grindstone is Huge...
Between the 2 islands, you can see where the shoals are,... Good sized Rocks.. Above water...
When the wind,+ current are Right,... Motor upstream, northwest, to where it drops off deep, cut the motor,+ toss a 3/8- 1/2oz. jig,+ bait, drifting through the group...

There's also that sieres of fishin' maps,... I forget the name, but their spot on with the where's, 'n When's....

 

[wvmedic]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Bond-O thanks again for the info. The shoals I read about are in the lake west of Chaumont bay and Mud bay, would my tin can be enough for that?

Thanks Jeff.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Ayuh,... Charity Shoals,..??
On a calm day, launching out of Cape Vincent,... Probably....
If the Wind picks up, head for the launch,... Atleast it'll be a following sea,+ you'll be ok...

Grab a Chart,... I need the Names of where you wanta go,.... This Guessing ain't so good....

 

[wvmedic]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Bond-O I agree about the guessing, sorry for my confusion. Which would be the best bet for good fishing the lake or the river, I am up for either. I just want to get on some productive water, I have looked at campgrounds for both locations.

We fished Lake Nippissing last year, it is just north of Noelville, Ontario. We did ok but there has to be a better fishery closer to home for me, and some water my boat will work on. I haven't really targeted Walleye until last year in Ontario, and man do I have the bug I loved it. But I still have allot to learn about it, I am fairly new to fishing. I had been very active (addicted) in deer hunting for a long time, got real good at it when I started bow hunting. However I have lost interest in hunting, it is pretty much a solo sport and I can and do enjoy fishing with the wife and friends. It isn't as solitary and you can for the most part interact with you're fishing partner. That is unless you are trout fishing a small stream, which is another thing I enjoy. My uncle got me into trout fishing before his health declined after a lung transplant, he has since passed but he had a love of fishing. I wish I had been more interested when I was younger, I'm sure I could have learned some more.

Most of my younger years of fishing other than our biannual Lake Nippissing trip, consisted of sitting on a bank, pole with a nightcrawler on the hook and waiting on what ever came by. I was and still am to impatient for that, I like to be more active in my pursuit I guess.

Sorry for being so winded, I just wanted to give you some back ground on my experience level. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks Jeff

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Which would be the best bet for good fishing the lake or the river, I am up for either. I just want to get on some productive water, I have looked at campgrounds for both locations.

Ayuh,... An 18' boat will work out on the lake, Most days,....
And it'll work on the river, probably Everyday, except on the worst of the worse....

The productive waters are in both the lake,+ river,... time of year just changes the tactics,+ which spots to fish...
On the river, you can drift fish, jig fish, or troll...
On the lake, it's pretty much All trolling...
My usual spread consists of 4 or more in-line planers,+ Reef Runners of various colors...
Btw,... Natural colors,+ deeper waters are the norm, with the clearer waters of the last 8/ 10 years....

I guess what I'm saying is,... Based outa Cape Vincent to Clayton, you'll be able to fish Everyday, going either down the river, or out into the lake...
Out into the lake, means long boat rides,... On the river, you can usually start fishing right from the dock...
There's state owned, free or cheap launches All over this area,... Being portable will be to your advantage...

When,+ If this happens,.. I'll give you my phone #,... Maybe we can get together,+ fish outa my barge for a day on the Big pond, or if nothing else,.. Maybe I'll have the latest hottest tips available for you...

Tight Lines,... Bill...

btw,... All comments relate to Walleyes....

 

[wvmedic]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Bond-O thanks, this will get me in the right direction. I will get some charts when the time comes. I will definitely be visiting the area, just gotta talk with the wife. She might insist on the salt this year, and if so we will be fishing in the north next year. From what I have seen on line it is a beautiful area.

Thanks again Jeff

 

[swordfish25]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

There has been some good eye fishing in front of grass point state park righit in the narrows. That is a good park to camp, you might call ahead for reservations for next year. It is just a few miles to the eagle wing groop. Your boat will be pleanty big enought fo that water. I have a cottage on grindstone island. Good luck

 

[wvmedic]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Thanks for the info swordfish25.

Jeff

 

[WELLSLEY]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

I camp at Wellesley island state park every year. I target pike, smallmouth and perch or whats hitting bluegils, channelcats, bullheads. I've never targeted walleye nor have I caught any. I've heard people talk about catching walleye in the narrows near the bridge but personally have not fished there. I fish eel bay, lake of the isles, west side of grindstone, southside of murray its such a big area that only spending a week you just can't hit every place. You go where you have had success in the past and maybe try a few new spots. Not only will you need a canadian lic. if you cross into canada but you will need an aproved safety certificate to operate a boat in canada. This law just went into effect in September of 09. A coastguard boater safety card is acceptable.

 

[wvmedic]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Wellesley, thanks for the reply. I'm good on the boaters ed card and even passport. I love to catch pike to, have caught most of mine flat line trolling. Caught them on Johnson silver spoons and spinners.

Jeff

 

[WELLSLEY]

Re: Need info on the St. Lawrence River and Wellesley Island.

Jeff,

Give the Rapala deeptail dancer a try while trolling for pike or walleye. 100' back in 30 fow