St. Lawrence River Fishing
Private Trip
River Fishing
Target walleye, smallmouth bass, pike, and muskies on St. Lawrence RiverAll fishing equipment provided with convenient Ogdensburg or Morristown launchesSingle guest capacity ensures personalized fishing experience with North Wind Curls
The St. Lawrence River isn't just another fishing spot – it's a legendary waterway that consistently delivers some of the best multi-species action in the Northeast. When you fish with North Wind Curls, you're getting a top-rated experience targeting four of the river's most sought-after species: walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and the ultimate prize – muskellunge. Whether you're launching from Ogdensburg or Morristown, you'll have access to prime fishing waters that have been producing trophy catches for generations. This is personalized fishing at its finest, with just you and an experienced captain who knows exactly where these fish like to hang out.
Your day starts at either the Ogdensburg or Morristown boat launch, depending on where the fish are biting best. The beauty of fishing the St. Lawrence is the variety – one minute you're working shallow weed beds for pike, the next you're bouncing jigs along rocky drop-offs for walleye. Your captain comes equipped with all the rods, reels, tackle, and electronics you'll need, so you can focus on what matters most: landing fish. The river's current and structure create perfect ambush points for predators, and with over 100 miles of fishable water between Lake Ontario and Montreal, there's always a backup plan when one spot gets slow. For full-day trips, you can add dinner to keep your energy up – trust me, you'll need it when the muskies start hitting at dusk.
The St. Lawrence demands versatility, and that's exactly what makes it so rewarding. For walleye, we're talking bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses in the deeper channels, or casting jigs tipped with minnows along the rocky shorelines. Smallmouth bass love the current breaks – you'll be throwing tubes and small crankbaits around boulders and drop-offs where they stage to feed. Pike fishing is visual and aggressive – we'll work the weed edges with spinnerbaits and topwater lures, especially in the back bays where they patrol for easy meals. Muskie fishing is the ultimate challenge here – figure-8s at boatside, big bucktails, and oversized crankbaits trolled along the deep weed lines. Your captain knows how to read the water and adjust techniques based on conditions, season, and what the fish are telling us that day.
Walleye are the bread and butter of St. Lawrence fishing, and for good reason. These golden beauties average 2-4 pounds, with plenty of fish pushing 6-8 pounds and the occasional wall-hanger over 10. They're most active during low-light periods – early morning, evening, and overcast days. The river's rocky structure and current breaks create perfect walleye habitat, and they school up in predictable spots once you know what to look for. What makes catching St. Lawrence walleye special is their fight in the current – they use that flowing water to their advantage, making even average fish feel like trophies.
Smallmouth bass in the St. Lawrence are absolute bulldogs. The current and rocky bottom structure have created a population of thick, powerful fish that average 2-3 pounds, with 4-5 pound fish caught regularly. Peak season runs from June through October, but the fall bite is legendary when they're feeding heavily before winter. These aren't your typical lake smallies – river smallmouth fight harder, jump higher, and test your drag like you wouldn't believe. The clear water means they're spooky, but when you connect, you'll understand why smallmouth fanatics consider this world-class fishing.
Northern pike in these waters are aggressive predators that provide non-stop action when you find them. They typically run 24-36 inches, with larger fish over 40 inches showing up regularly in the deeper weed beds and current seams. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most active, but summer fishing around the weed edges produces consistent action. Pike strikes are violent and visual – you'll see them following lures, crashing topwater baits, and generally making your heart skip a beat. The St. Lawrence pike are healthy, well-fed fish that fight hard and provide the kind of exciting fishing that keeps you coming back.
Muskellunge are the apex predator and the fish that brings serious anglers from across the country. The St. Lawrence strain of muskie is renowned for producing 50+ inch fish, with the occasional true giant over 55 inches. These fish are moody and challenging – following lures without committing, hitting once and disappearing, or suddenly going ballistic when you least expect it. Fall is prime time when they're feeding aggressively before winter, but summer fishing can be productive early and late in the day. Landing a St. Lawrence muskie is a career moment for most anglers – they're that special and that difficult to fool.
The St. Lawrence River delivers consistent, world-class fishing for multiple species, and with North Wind Curls you're getting the local knowledge and personalized attention that makes all the difference. Whether you're chasing your first muskie, looking to load the boat with walleye, or just want to experience some of the best smallmouth fishing in North America, this trip delivers. The convenience of having all gear provided, flexible launch locations, and the option to add meals for longer trips makes this a customer favorite. Don't wait – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hottest.
Your fishing machine for the St. Lawrence is a well-equipped motorboat built for serious angling. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're working productive waters for walleye and smallmouth bass. GPS navigation gets you to the hot spots, while the fish finder shows you exactly what's swimming below. An onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long days chasing muskies and pike. Perfect for solo fishing adventures where you can focus on technique without distractions. The boat handles the river's currents with ease, letting you concentrate on reading the water and working your lures through structure where the big fish hide.
Esox MasquinongyMuskies are the ultimate freshwater trophy - the "fish of 10,000 casts" that can stretch over 50 inches and weigh 30-plus pounds in these waters. These apex predators patrol weed edges, rocky points, and deep structure, often following baits for what feels like forever before deciding to strike. Fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before winter, though summer evenings can be productive. What makes muskie fishing special? It's the challenge and the payoff - these fish are smart, moody, and when one finally hits, it's an absolute battle you won't forget. Most anglers release them to fight another day. Local secret: after working a spot thoroughly, make a few figure-8s right at the boat before moving. Muskies often follow all the way in and that boat-side move can trigger a strike.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are the river's apex predators - long, lean, and armed with razor teeth that'll slice through most anything. These ambush artists typically run 24-32 inches in the St. Lawrence, with the occasional 40-incher to keep things interesting. Find them lurking in weedy bays, around fallen timber, or along weed edges where they can surprise their next meal. Spring and fall are prime time when they're shallow and aggressive, though summer fishing near deeper weed lines produces too. What draws anglers? Pure attitude - pike hit hard, fight dirty, and never quit. They're decent eating if you can deal with the Y-bones. My go-to trick here: work a spoon or large spinner bait just over the weed tops in the back bays. Keep it moving steady - when pike strike, they mean business.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are pure fighters - bronze-backed bullies that'll test every inch of your tackle. In the St. Lawrence, they average 14-18 inches but the bigger ones push 4-5 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. Look for them around rocky structure, especially where current breaks around islands and points. They love depths from 8-25 feet during summer, moving shallow in spring and fall. Early morning and evening are money times, but overcast days can keep them active all day. What guests love most is the fight - these fish jump, run, and never give up easy. They're great eating too, with firm white meat. Here's a local trick: when the bite gets tough, try a tube jig in natural colors worked slowly along the rocky ledges. The smallies here can't resist it.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the St. Lawrence's golden prize - those distinctive silver eyes help them hunt in low light, making dawn and dusk prime time for catching them. They typically run 18-24 inches here, with females pushing bigger. You'll find them hanging around rocky bottoms and drop-offs during the day, then moving shallow to feed at night. Spring and fall are your best bets when water temps hit that sweet spot around 70 degrees. What makes walleye special? They fight smart, not just hard, and they're hands-down the best eating fish in these waters - mild, flaky, and perfect for the pan. Pro tip: when jigging the deeper holes near the shipping channel, keep your bait just off bottom and work it slow. Walleye often hit on the drop.
Ogdensburg, NY