NY (Clinton, Essex, Washington)VT (Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, Rutland)

Lake Champlain

WATER CLARITY: 5/10

What you need to know about fishing Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is a 314,00-acre lake that sits between the boarder of New York and Vermont with a portion reaching into Canada. There are many different features throughout the 120 mile long lake with a max depth of 400 ft and 71 islands. Access along the lake is relatively easy with Interstate 89 on the east and Interstate 87 on the west. There are also 3 bridges throughout the lake that help connect Vermont to New York. This lake is host to over 90 different species of fish, but the most commonly fished for are largemouth and smallmouth bass, lake trout, salmon, pike, catfish, and panfish. Known for its exceptional bass fishing, Lake Champlain consistently ranks as one of the top bass lakes in the country. Top level tournaments are known to bring in big bags of smallmouth. Popular techniques to use are dropshot, whacky rigged soft plastics, jerkbaits, swimmbaits, spoons, and compact jigs. Lake trout and salmon are often caught trolling in deep water, especially during the summer months. With the lake covering so much area it’s best to pick a section and fish it thoroughly.

Waterbody Type

Lake/Pond

Species Present

Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskie, Crappie, Panfish / Bluegill, Northern Pike, Catfish, Lake Trout, Sturgeon

Coordinates

-73.3162W
44.4791N

Surface Area

1075.34 sq. km

Avg. Depth

0 ft.

Gear
Fishing Reports (9)
Ambassadors (2)
Nearby Lakes

Relevant Gear for Lake Champlain Pre-Spawn Largemouth Bass Fishing

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Pre-Spawn Largemouth Bass Fishing Reports

We have no Fishing Reports for Pre-Spawn Largemouth Bass yet.

Other Season Fishing Reports

Reported by Omnia Community
Season: Post-Spawn
Structure: Boulders
Species: Smallmouth Bass
Technique: Finesse Hair Jigs
Reported by Seth Feider
Picking apart marina's slowly with a jig was most effective for kicker bites.
Season: Summer
Structure: Docks
Species: Largemouth Bass
Technique: Grass Jigs
Stealth Feider Jig 5/8 oz / Money Craw
outkast_tackle
Reported by Omnia Fishing
Flipping topped out milfoil was the jam. Big weight covering water. Once you get bit, I like to down size the weight and pick the area apart.
Season: Summer
Structure: Submerged Vegetation
Species: Largemouth Bass
Forage: Bluegill
Technique: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
Craw Tube Bulk Pack Green Pumpkin / 25 / 4"
big_bite_baits
⚡4 Product Recommendations
Reported by Sam Wilcox
I would fish the tube jig when the wind was down, and as soon as it picked up I would start to throw a crankbait.
Season: Summer
Structure: Rock Pile
Species: Smallmouth Bass
Technique: Ned Rigs
Finesse TRD MOLTING CRAW / 2 3/4"
zman
Reported by Seth Feider
Run the Mid Diving Crankbaits above bottom. Focusing in on subtle changes in depth.
Season: Summer
Structure: Rock Pile
Species: Smallmouth Bass
Technique: Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12')
DT 10 HELSINKI SHAD / 2 1/4"
rapala
Reported by Joe Patterson
Some times the fish will miss don’t set the hook let them hit it again
Season: Summer
Structure: Rip Rap
Species: Smallmouth Bass
Technique: Hard Topwater (Prop)
Whopper Plopper 130 5" / Perch
river2sea
Reported by Andrew Roberts
Fishing deep is hot right now. The bite is on one day and shut off another. You may catch a lot of small ones but once them good size ones... Read More
Season: Ice
Structure: Points
Species: Panfish / Bluegill
Forage: Minnows
Technique: Ice Fishing Jigs
⚡2 Product Recommendations
Reported by Andrew Roberts
Fishing in around 15-20 feet. Schools of perch move in around every 30-40 mins.
Season: Ice
Structure: Submerged Vegetation
Species: Panfish / Bluegill
Forage: Minnows
Technique: Ice Fishing Spoons
Spoon 1/10 oz / Yellow
swedish_pimple
Reported by Andrew Roberts
Fishing for perch deep! The bite is a hit or miss. When they do come in you will get a bunch for about 15-20 mins.
Season: Ice
Structure: Ledges
Species: Panfish / Bluegill
Forage: Minnows
Technique: Ice Fishing Jigs
⚡1 Product Recommendations