Port 11 of 11 · Jefferson County, NY · Lake America (Lake Ontario)
Cape Vincent & Chaumont fishing charters
Cape Vincent sits at the far east end, where the lake narrows among islands and flows into the St. Lawrence River. With current, rocky structure and shallow bays, this stretch fishes more like a river than a big lake. It's also the only part of Lake America with a big walk-out ice fishery in winter.
The water
What Cape Vincent is good for
In summer, smallmouth bass hold around the shoals and current seams off Tibbetts Point, northern pike in the weedy bays, and walleye on the structure. There are plenty of yellow perch to fill a cooler. Most of the fishing here is casting and jigging with light tackle.
Winter sets this end of the lake apart. Chaumont Bay is shallow and sheltered, so it usually freezes solid. Once it does, people come from across the region to walk out and fish for yellow perch and northern pike. The ice changes a lot from year to year, so don't walk out without local knowledge.
The Thousand Islands start here, so the scenery is good even when the fishing is slow. Cape Vincent is a quiet village with a ferry to Wolfe Island and not much else, and for most repeat visitors that's the appeal.
Cape Vincent & Chaumont is on the New York shore of Lake America, which most anglers, maps and guidebooks still call Lake Ontario. Why the lake has two names.
How it's fished
The main ways captains fish here, and when each one is worth booking.
Shoals and seams
From June through September, anglers cast and jig for smallmouth around current seams and rocky structure.
Bay fishing
Anglers fish the weed edges and flats of Chaumont and Three Mile Bays for northern pike, walleye and perch.
Hardwater
In January and February, when the ice is safe, anglers walk out on Chaumont Bay for perch and pike.
What you'll catch
Species that hold at Cape Vincent, and the months they're at their best.
| Illustration | Species | Notes | Best months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Trout | Deep · to 25 lb | May, Jun, Jul | |
| Smallmouth Bass | Eastern basin | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | |
| Walleye | Bays & rivers | Jun, Jul | |
| Northern Pike | Weed edges & bays | Jan, Feb, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov | |
| Yellow Perch | Schooling · bays | Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec |
The seasons guide covers every species for all twelve months.
Captains & guides in Cape Vincent & Chaumont
We check each charter's license before we list it here.
We're adding captains out of Cape Vincent & Chaumont now
Send one trip request and we'll put you in touch with a licensed captain who fishes Cape Vincent & Chaumont, usually within a day. No fee, no obligation.
Request a tripRun a charter out of Cape Vincent & Chaumont?
Show your boat, photos and booking link to anglers planning a trip here. Pay monthly, or pay only for the leads we send you.
List your boatMarinas, tackle & food in Cape Vincent
Where to get bait, fuel, a slip and breakfast before first light, and where to get your catch cleaned. All eleven ports.
Local business listings open
Marinas, tackle shops, restaurants and dealers in Cape Vincent can show their logo, hours, phone and map on this page. It's $39 a month, month to month.
Fish cleaning listings open
Fish cleaning stations in Cape Vincent can show their hours, prices, phone and map on this page. It's $39 a month, April through November.
This week & what's coming
The current report as it applies to Cape Vincent, and the dates worth planning around.
Common questions
What people ask before they book Cape Vincent.
Is the ice fishing safe?
Only if you have current local knowledge. Chaumont Bay freezes in most winters, but the ice varies a lot from year to year and from one part of the bay to another. Go with a guide or a local outfitter.
What is the main summer target here?
Smallmouth bass. Northern pike, walleye and perch are good second choices. For salmon, go west to Henderson or Oswego.
Is it worth coming this far east?
Yes, if you want light-tackle fishing, scenery and quiet. If you want a 30-pound Chinook, fish Oswego or Pulaski instead.
Is Cape Vincent & Chaumont on Lake Ontario?
Yes. Cape Vincent & Chaumont is on the New York shore of Lake Ontario, which U.S. charts renamed Lake America on 27 August 2026. Canadian maps, older guidebooks and most anglers still use the old name, so you will see both. The fish, ports, captains and New York fishing license rules are the same.
Fish Cape Vincent & Chaumont
We send your request to captains who fish this port and have open dates when you want to go.
Header photo: Tibbets Point Light from St. Lawrence River 2 by Tomrobertsphoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and tinted.