Clayton

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  "name": "Clayton",
  "slug": "clayton-ny",
  "type": "city",
  "status": "minimum",
  "tier": "t2",
  "centroid": {
    "crs": {
      "type": "name",
      "properties": {
        "name": "EPSG:4326"
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    "type": "Point",
    "coordinates": [
      -76.0826155,
      44.2369866
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  "parentId": "724263f1-f57c-40b4-a453-1bc6e2f093e7",
  "country": "United States",
  "countryCode": "US",
  "stateProvince": "NY",
  "county": null,
  "timezone": "America/New_York",
  "descriptionShort": "Clayton sits at the head of the Thousand Islands, where the St. Lawrence River widens into a maze of granite outcrops and channels. Walleye, pike, and smallmouth bass thrive in these cold, structure-rich waters.",
  "descriptionLong": "Clayton anchors the upper Thousand Islands, a 50-mile stretch of the St. Lawrence River that forms the U.S.–Canada border. The river here transitions from a narrow, fast current into a labyrinth of islands, shoals, and deep channels carved through the Canadian Shield. Water temperatures stay cool year-round, fed by Lake Ontario's influence upstream, which keeps walleye and pike aggressive through summer when many other fisheries slow.\n\nWalleye dominate the Clayton section, particularly in spring and fall when they move into shallower structure—rocky points, weed edges, and the channels between islands. Jigging live shiners or crawlers along the 20- to 40-foot breaks produces consistent results. Smallmouth bass are equally abundant and often larger here than in lower river sections; they respond well to topwater early and late in the day, and to drop-shot presentations around deeper rock formations. Northern pike are a bonus, especially in weedy bays and along the island margins in May and June.\n\nThe geography favors sight-fishing and structure-hunting. Granite islands rise abruptly from deep water, creating the kind of hard bottom and current breaks that walleye and bass prefer. The river's width—roughly a mile across in many spots—means plenty of room to work without crowding, though navigation requires local knowledge; guides here know which channels hold fish and which are tourist traffic lanes.\n\nClayton itself is the gateway—a small village with a working waterfront, tackle shops, and easy launch access. The St. Lawrence Seaway marker sits just downstream, a visual reference point that guides use to orient clients. Water levels are dam-controlled from upstream, so conditions remain relatively stable throughout the season, unlike freestone rivers. Summer water temps hover in the upper 60s to low 70s, ideal for both species. Most productive fishing runs from May through October, with spring and fall offering the most consistent action.",
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  "verticals": [
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  "waterCharacteristics": [],
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    "Clayton NY",
    "Clayton 1000 Islands",
    "Clayton Thousand Islands"
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  "drainageAreaSqKm": null,
  "slopePercent": null,
  "elevationMin": null,
  "elevationMax": null,
  "lengthKm": null,
  "areaSqKm": 4.149905,
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  "noaaTideStationIds": null,
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  "censusGeoid": "3616089",
  "censusLsadc": "47",
  "areaWaterSqKm": 2.519076,
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  "pipelineId": 15015,
  "createdAt": "2026-06-15T17:09:40.452Z",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-15T20:01:15.638Z",
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