You guys who fish the St. Lawrence all the time, what's the deal with the speed zone in the American Narrows? I was fishing the river for the first time last week. I had been fishing in the Narrows for three days when I got stopped for speeding. I had not seen any plainly visible signage indicating I was entering a speed zone or in a speed zone.
used to be some signs posted , not sure if still is or not but yes they sit and wait.. pretty sure my navionics comes up with it on there. not sure as i know not to speed thru there believe its 45
The troopers told me the speed limit was 30. Supposed to be a sign on the bank. After they gave me a ticket, I saw a very small sign on the bank. You would never see it just driving through there. They said the speed zone was from lighthouse to lighthouse.
They watch that area closely for speeding. For the past few years it’s been a no wake zone through the narrows. There’s signs on either end of the narrows and I think one in the middle. It’s not marked well
1995 Ranger 481v
1995 Johnson Fast Strike 175hp
Yep....I got pulled over in the narrows last year, just East of the Bridge.....they left me off with just a warning.
I was just up there for a week, last week....and never saw the signs.....
Normally, that area is boiling due to the river bottleneck and currents, so I am always in that 45MPH mark especially with weekender idiot and jet skies.
Don't reckon having had any issues, but in 2017 and 19, needed to stay middle channel for high water. Much better this year.
BTW, are they saying that the 30MPH is from Rock Island Light to Sunken Rock Island Light East of A Bay?
Last edited by digthemup; 07-08-2020 at 08:44 PM.
It's 45, with a section 30 mph. It was no wake because of hi water. I always cut behind the castle and gun it!!! Hit 84 back there in 2007!!
ive always gone 45 never had a issue..
Yea, I heard that those Bullet boats are fast with them 250HPOriginally Posted by Alumicraft145
They told me the 30 mph zone was from lighthouse to lighthouse.
I see you’re from Sharon springs, just up Vickerman hill from me. Good to see another local guy on here
1995 Ranger 481v
1995 Johnson Fast Strike 175hp
Chuck,
The only lighthouses in that stretch of river is Rock Island Light between T. I. Park and Fisher's Landing, and Sunken Rock Island Light East of A Bay. That's a very busy area specially July-August with lots of weekenders PITA. Much better quieter area round Goose and Chippewa Bays, or Fisher's Landing toward Clayton.
Was freaking wild coming through there to make check in during the ABA today. Was short on time, trying to stay under 40, a barge, 10 cabin cruisers and a Grady white who drove straight infront of me going 10mph throwing a giant wake. They were set up to get speeders today but have been in the area. I see the Canadians patroling their border alot harder then us and Canadians on the islands looking in binoculars when you're fishing close to the border. Was fun learning the U. S. Side this week. Has 2 over 6lbs
ya heard they are escorting, guess back to the us side if caught
Spent all last week on the St. Lawrence. We launched one day at A-Bay and it turned into a circus by noon. I was looking for a 30 mph sign between the lighthouses after reading this thread, but didn't see one. With the number of cruisers throwing huge wakes in there and coming from all angles, I was more focused in front of me though. The police were definitely patrolling the area.
We had our best luck in Chippewa Bay. There's some big LM in the weeds near the public boat launch. Even though I was there for the SM, we were just catching too many nice LM to move away from them. Caught my first bowfin as well. Ugliest thing that has ever been on the end of my line.
Mike,
Be sure that when you fish Chippewa Bay heading out toward the channel, Singer Castle island is kinda the unofficial fence line with Canada. Smallies are deep in the shoal point facing the current, and they seem to be a bit finicky lately, but you are right the Larries are running fat. Our summer house is just about around the corner from Chip Bay in Blind Bay.
Wish I would have known this last week when I was there. I was having trouble finding small mouth. When we were there last year, the water was really high with the flooding and fishing near your house we got some big ones. This year we managed to get a few, but they were in the 2 - 3 pound range. The outlet in Chippewa Bay with the markers for entering was holding tons of LM in the pads once you got past the shallow water entrance. We were floating down the middle casting to each side and just hammering them. I was shocked how big some of them were given water temp and depth.
We were staying on the Clayton side and as far as I know, they were talking about the lighthouse entering the Narrows from the Clayton side and the one at Alexandria Bay. I don't know their names. I have filed a complaint with the NY State Police regarding enforcing a speed zone that is not clearly and adequately marked. I don't expect anything to come of it, but it really bothered me. If I had known it was a speed zone, I wouldn't have been speeding. I never saw a sign in that area in three days. If there are any, they must be small.
Chuck,
Dude, don't take it personal and let it slide. I kinda feel bad for them having to deal with weekender azz oles in that area. I stay out of that area all together, and the lighthouse going downstream from Clayton is Rock Island Light between T. I. Park and Fisher's Landing. There is a ton of good fishing spots around Clayton area. I fish Eagle Wing Group area and Calumet island; Grindstone Island Flynt bay and Buck bay including the island across from them. Downstream from that Watch Island/Blind bay and Fisher's Landing and T. I. Park at the tip of Wellesley island.
If you can't catch your limit in any of them area I have just mentioned, don't blame the fish brother.
Be well and be safe.
Last edited by digthemup; 07-17-2020 at 09:59 AM.
Glory be to Christ, this year the water is much better than last year and way down from 2017. Reckon, it is still a bit up but manageable. We are still able to keep my father in law's big Penn Yan at our dock. He don't use it much, but I pray that I can do half of what he does being 86 yrs young. Chippewa Bay and everything across and up stream Goose bay is great fishing.
My best to you and be well.
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