Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Friday, May 16, 2025.

Weather today is showing classic spring conditions – expect partly sunny skies, a light breeze, and temperatures climbing into the mid-60s by afternoon. Sunrise came in at 5:23 AM and sunset will be at 8:18 PM, offering a long window to chase fish across the lake. While Champlain doesn’t have big tides like the ocean, water levels are ticking up a touch from recent rains, with the mild tidal swing making some of the back bays a little juicier mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Fish activity is on the upswing across the board. Smallmouth bass are lighting up on rocky drop-offs and boulder fields in that magical 10 to 20-foot depth. Largemouths are pushing into the shallows and grass beds, especially as the water warms through the day. Folks are still catching plenty of lake trout in deeper water, with good action coming from 70 to 120 feet down. Trollers working with spoons, spin doctors, and flies are seeing some steady bites.

Best baits and lures right now have been hard to beat. For smallmouth, a drop shot rigged with a Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm or a green pumpkin Ned rig is still king. Swim jigs and bladed jigs in green pumpkin or white work great over the grass and along the edges for both species. Crankbaits slow-rolled along weed lines have been putting in work as well. For lake trout, stick with your flashy spoons or try a spin doctor and fly combo.

If you’re after perch, target the deeper points and channel edges near the mouths of the bigger bays with a 2-inch grub or small jig tipped with a spike. There are still rock bass to be had on the ultra-light gear, and pike are prowling the shallows around the weed beds – big spoons like the classic red and white Dardevle are a solid bet.

Recent catches have included lake trout to 12 pounds out deep, plenty of chunky smallmouths up shallow, and a steady mess of perch up to 12 inches around the bay channels. Largemouths are averaging two to three pounds, with a few bigger fish showing up near the thicker weeds.

Hot spots to try today: the rocky points off Valcour Island for smallmouth, and the north end of the Inland Sea for mixed bags of perch and pike. For a shot at a double-digit lake trout, troll the drop-offs just outside Juniper Island.

With the weather stable and water temps heating up, today looks prime for a full stringer and bent rods all around Lake Champlain. Good luck out there and tight lines.

Artificial Lure's Lake Champlain Fishing Report
May 14, 2025

Good morning, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for this beautiful Wednesday morning. The sun rose at 5:32 AM and won't set until 8:14 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work those lines today.

Weather's looking decent with temps in the low 60s and light winds from the northwest at 5-10 mph. No significant precipitation expected, so we should have stable conditions throughout the day. Lake Champlain doesn't have traditional tides like coastal waters, but water levels are running slightly above average for mid-May.

The big news around the lake is the continued success of the lake trout fishery. After that 50-year restoration effort finally paid off last month, we're seeing wild lake trout thriving without hatchery support for the first time in decades! The sea lamprey control program deserves a big shoutout for making this possible. Those lakers are hitting well in 50-75 foot depths, particularly near structure.

Bass fishing remains outstanding, with Champlain consistently ranked among Bassmaster's top fisheries nationwide. Several locals have reported excellent smallmouth action along rocky points using drop shot rigs with 3-inch minnow baits. For largemouth, try working weedlines with spinnerbaits or soft plastics.

Brown trout quotas have been consistently met by anglers working shallow waters (3-12 feet) using planer boards. Based on reports from last month, this pattern should hold through mid-May. A few chinooks are also being caught in deeper water, typically 50+ feet.

For landlocked salmon, which are running strong right now, focus on the waters below Willsboro. These Ice Age relics have been particularly active at dawn and dusk. Trolling with spoons or stickbaits at varying depths has been most productive.

Bait-wise, live minnows and nightcrawlers are always reliable for multiple species. For artificial presentations, silver and blue spoons have been hot for salmon, while tube jigs in green pumpkin or smoke colors are working well for bass.

Hot spots this week include the Inland Sea for a mixed bag of species (some great afternoon reports coming in from there), the deeper waters off Valcour Island for lake trout, and the Willsboro area for those salmon runs. The waters around Burlington have also been productive for bass anglers.

Don't forget that with 500 miles of shoreline and 70 islands to explore, there's always a new honey hole waiting to be discovered on Champlain!

That's all for today, folks. Remember, a bad day fishing still beats a good day working. This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time!

Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Monday, May 12, 2025.

Sunrise today was at 4:31 AM, with sunset expected at 7:07 PM, giving you plenty of daylight hours on the water. The weather's looking decent with temperatures in the low 40s this morning. The sky is currently overcast with 100% cloud cover, but visibility remains good at about 18km. We've got winds coming from the north at around 11 mph with gusts up to 17 mph, so keep that in mind when positioning your boat.

Fish activity today is moderate according to the solunar forecast, with peak times around 11 PM tonight. If you can't make it out that late, fishing conditions throughout the day are still quite favorable, with activity scores ranging from 60-65% during midday hours.

The big news on the lake has been the incredible smallmouth surge we've been experiencing since last week! Smallmouth bass have been absolutely crushing it, with numerous 4+ pounders reported. Not to be outdone, the largemouth action has been spectacular too, with a monster catch reported just two days ago on May 10th.

Lake trout and salmon fishing continues to thrive this spring. For tackle and bait, try using planer boards in shallow water (3-12 feet) for best results. Many anglers are finding success with both artificial lures and live bait setups.

If you're heading out today, I'd recommend checking out Malletts Bay for largemouth action – they've been holding tight to structure in 8-10 feet of water. For smallmouth, try the rocky points near Valcour Island where they've been staging for the pre-spawn. Trout enthusiasts should head to deeper waters off Burlington where downriggers set to 40-60 feet have been producing consistent strikes.

The conservation efforts for our native lake trout population have really paid off, with the population now self-sustaining thanks to the sea lamprey control program. It's a great time to be fishing Lake Champlain, folks!

Remember to check your licenses and respect the size and bag limits. Tight lines and good luck out there today! This is Artificial Lure, signing off until tomorrow's report.

Good morning fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming at you with your Sunday, May 11 Lake Champlain fishing report. We’re kicking off the day with cool, partly cloudy weather. Air temps this morning are around 45 degrees, the wind’s coming out of the north at about eight miles per hour, and the water’s got a bit of chop but nothing too serious. Sunrise came early at 4:33 AM and you’ll have daylight until 7:06 PM, so there’s plenty of time to wet a line and enjoy spring on the lake.

The solunar activity is moderate today, with the best bite happening in the morning and evening. If you’re able to get out around dawn or just before dark, those are your prime windows for action. The moon’s new right now, with moonrise at 4:25 PM, so you may see slightly spookier fish in shallow water, but that just means lighter presentations could pay off nicely.

As for what’s biting, anglers this week are finding steady action from trout, salmon, and panfish. Spring lake trout and landlocked salmon are chasing smelt along drop-offs and points, especially on the New York side near Port Henry and around the Split Rock area. Trollers are having luck running small spoons and stickbaits in silver and blue patterns, keeping their lures just below the surface at first light, then dropping deeper as the sun climbs. Slow retrieves are key for lake trout—patience pays off with these finicky fish.

Smallmouth bass are starting to get active with the warming water, and are being picked up around rocky shorelines and reefs, particularly in the north end bays like Missisquoi and Carry Bay. Casting jerkbaits and soft plastic craws in natural colors has been productive, and if you’re after numbers, drop-shot rigs tipped with nightcrawlers or small minnows are a solid bet.

Panfish have moved shallow for spawning. Bluegills and perch are thick in weed pockets along the shallows off Sand Bar and St. Albans Bay. Waxworms, small jigs, and bits of worm under a float are bringing in generous catches for shore anglers and folks in small boats.

For bait, you can’t go wrong with live shiners for big trout and salmon, and worms or soft plastics for panfish and bass. Best lures lately are silver or perch-patterned Rapalas, blue and white spoons for trolling, and green pumpkin tubes or Ned rigs for bass.

Hot spots to check today include the waters off Port Henry for lakers and salmon, and the Sand Bar causeway for panfish. Up north, Missisquoi Bay is warming up and putting up nice smallmouth.

That’s it for today’s report from Artificial Lure. Get out early or stay late, fish slow, and keep an eye on the wind. Good luck, and tight lines out there on Lake Champlain this Sunday morning.

Good morning anglers this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Saturday May 10 2025

We woke up today to a beautiful spring morning on the lake Sunrise hit at 545 AM and you can fish all the way until sunset at 802 PM There is plenty of daylight to chase those spring monsters Weather is classic May up here in the valley Expect temps in the mid 60s with a touch of a northwest breeze around 5 to 10 mph Water conditions are calm and clear which should make for excellent visibility on the cast No rain in the forecast so you can leave that heavy gear at home

Let’s talk fish Bass are in the spotlight right now Both largemouth and smallmouth are charging into the shallows getting serious about the spawn Largemouth are stacking up in weedy bays and coves especially where you can find a bit of warmer water off the main lake Look for smallies along rocky points and gravel flats where they like to fan out their beds The bite has been hot with multiple reports of 3 to 5 pounders coming over the gunwales lately Soft plastics like green pumpkin Senkos and craws are working great Carolina rigs and drop shots with small shad imitations are also getting a lot of attention

Trout fans the lake trout story this spring has been a true comeback tale Thanks to decades of lamprey control and careful management native lake trout are now sustaining themselves in solid numbers Lake trout are being caught steadily in 40-80 feet of water especially trolling deep-diving stickbaits or spoons Tip try silver and blue patterns early in the morning when the bite is peaking As for bait live shiners or smelt are consistent producers for both trout and salmon

Don’t overlook the northern pike either with the shallow bays around Missisquoi and south of the Inland Sea currently holding some nice fish Pike are smashing spinnerbaits and big jerkbaits as the weeds start to green up

If you’re looking for hot spots check out the mouths of the Otter Creek and the Winooski River for active smallmouth or the Sandbar Causeway for multi-species action If trout are on your mind the stretch between Juniper Island and Thompson’s Point has been especially productive for trollers

All in all fish activity is up and the bite is strong Get out there and make the most of these perfect spring conditions Tight lines and good luck from your local angling expert Artificial Lure

LAKE CHAMPLAIN FISHING REPORT - May 9, 2025
From: Artificial Lure, Your Local Angling Expert

Good morning, anglers!

The bite is absolutely on fire across Lake Champlain today! We're looking at perfect fishing conditions with temperatures warming up nicely as we head into mid-May. Sunrise this morning was at 5:37 AM with sunset expected at 8:12 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get those lines wet.

The smallmouth bass action has been nothing short of spectacular these past few days, with a significant surge in activity as they move into shallower waters. These bronzebacks are hitting aggressively on Rat-L-Traps, particularly the chartreuse black back 1/2 oz models that have been producing monster catches. Just ask Roy Gangloff who landed a massive 7-pound 13-ounce largemouth in the Ticonderoga section last week using that exact lure.

Speaking of largemouth, we're seeing some absolute tanks being caught in the southern bays. These fish are starting to stage for the spawn, and they're absolutely crushing perch-patterned and white jerkbaits. The vegetation edges in 5-10 feet of water have been particularly productive.

Walleye fishing remains steady, especially during the early morning and evening hours. Try working the deeper drops with crawler harnesses or jigging with minnows near bottom structure.

Lake trout action continues to impress following their remarkable population rebound. The lamprey control program has worked wonders, and these fish are now naturally reproducing at sustainable levels. Target them in deeper water with downriggers and DB Smelt spoons.

For those looking for hot spots today, I'd recommend hitting Mallets Bay for smallmouth, where anglers have been limiting out before 9 AM. The Inland Sea near North Hero is also firing for multiple species. If you're after those trophy largemouth, the Ticonderoga section continues to produce quality fish.

Bait-wise, live minnows and nightcrawlers are always reliable standbys this time of year. For those preferring artificials, the aforementioned Rat-L-Traps, jerkbaits in perch patterns, and swimbaits are all producing consistently.

Weather today looks favorable with light winds from the southwest at 5-10 mph and temperatures climbing to the mid-60s by afternoon. No significant rain in the forecast, so conditions should remain stable through the weekend.

Remember folks, with the water still on the cooler side, slow your presentation down a bit for better results. Those fish are active but might need an extra second to commit.

That's all for today's report. Get out there and tight lines to all of you!

This is Artificial Lure signing off from the shores of beautiful Lake Champlain. See you on the water!

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Monday, May 5, 2025.

The sun rose this morning at 5:35 AM and will set at 8:02 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to get on the water. The weather is starting out mild in the lower 50s, warming quickly to high 60s by midday, with a light southern breeze—ideal for casting or trolling. No tidal shifts to worry about here, just the steady rise of spring.

Fish activity on Lake Champlain is heating up as water temperatures rise and the spawn approaches for bass and other warmwater species. Last week, Vermont angler Roy Gangloff landed a monster largemouth at Ticonderoga weighing in at 7 pounds 13 ounces. He used a half-ounce chartreuse black back Rat-L-Trap, which has been outperforming most other lures this spring, especially in the southern basin. Largemouth bass are getting more aggressive and can be found moving into shallower coves and weedy bays[1].

Lake trout numbers are still strong thanks to ongoing lamprey control efforts, and anglers are reporting steady action on the drop-offs using spoons and smelt-patterned jigs. Trollers working 20 to 40 feet down are picking up nice lakers on silver and blue flutter spoons and stickbaits, particularly in the mid-lake regions around Port Henry and Split Rock[5]. Smallmouth bass are also staging near rocky shores and points, and reports show good catches on jerkbaits and tube jigs—try natural or perch-colored patterns for best results[1].

The yellow perch bite remains consistent, with fat slabs schooling in shallower bays and around submerged grasses. Live minnows or small spinners are your best bet here. Walleye and northern pike are showing up in the mouths of tributaries, especially early and late, hitting on crankbaits and live bait rigs[4].

For hot spots today, Ticonderoga Bay is a prime bet for big bass—work those Rat-L-Traps slow and steady along the weedlines. Kingsland Bay and the rocky flats near Valcour Island are holding good numbers of smallmouths and perch. For lake trout, put in some time trolling off Port Henry or the deeper holes off Split Rock.

To sum up, best bets are Rat-L-Traps for largemouth, jerkbaits and tubes for smallmouth, and silver spoons for lakers. Live minnows or worms will keep you busy with perch and the occasional walleye. With the weather stable and fish on the move, today is a great day to get out and make some memories on Lake Champlain.

Good luck and tight lines!

Champlain Catchin' Report - May 4, 2025

Morning, folks! Artificial Lure here, bringing you the freshest fish tales from the big lake on this fine Sunday morning.

Weather's looking prime today with temps climbing into the mid-60s by afternoon. Sunrise was at 5:42 AM, and we've got until 8:03 PM before the sun ducks behind the Adirondacks. Water temps have been holding in the mid to upper 40s, perfect for triggering those pre-spawn bass to start getting aggressive.

The big news this week came from the Ti section where local veteran Roy Gangloff hauled in a monster 7-pound 13-ounce largemouth on a chartreuse black back Rat-L-Trap. Roy's been hammering bass on those Rat-L-Traps all spring, and this pattern is still holding strong[1]. If you don't have a few of these in your tackle box, you're missing out!

Smallmouth action is heating up as we speak. Reports from earlier this week show the smallies getting more aggressive as water temps rise. They've been hitting drop shots, hard jerkbaits, and Ned rigs according to multiple reports[5]. One angler noted that the Megabass 110+1 Jr in Mat Shad color was particularly effective with a "jerk-jerk-pause" retrieve, with fish hitting on the pause[5].

For you trout and salmon chasers, the deeper sections of the lake are producing, with DB Smelt spoons proving effective for salmon trolling. Lake trout activity is picking up as well, with a few solid reports coming in over the last month[5].

Hot spots to check today: The rocky points near Willsboro are prime for smallmouth right now, especially if you're working jerkbaits around boulder fields. For largemouth, target flooded brush with grass jigs - this pattern's been solid according to recent reports[5]. And don't sleep on the Ticonderoga section if you're after trophy bass - that's where the big girls have been hanging out.

Bait-wise, besides the aforementioned artificials, minnows and bluegill patterns are matching what the bass are feeding on right now. No need to overthink it - match the forage and you'll be in business.

For you boat-less anglers, shore fishing opportunities are abundant with 500 miles of shoreline to explore. Just remember those smallies are moving shallow preparing to spawn, so rocky shorelines with some depth nearby are your ticket.

That's the word from the water today, folks. Remember - a bad day fishing Lake Champlain still beats a good day doing just about anything else. This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time, tight lines!

LAKE CHAMPLAIN FISHING REPORT - May 3, 2025
From: Artificial Lure, Your Local Angling Expert

Good morning, anglers!

The early May fishing on Lake Champlain is heating up faster than my coffee this morning! We're looking at favorable conditions today with partly cloudy skies and temperatures expected to reach the mid-60s. Sunrise was at 5:42 AM, and sunset will be around 8:09 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to land that trophy catch.

The big news on the lake is the incredible bass action happening right now. Vermont angler Roy Gangloff just scored a monster 7-pound 13-ounce largemouth in the Ticonderoga section using a 1/2 oz chartreuse black back Rat-L-Trap. This spring has been exceptional for big bass on Rat-L-Traps, so make sure you've got a few in your tackle box[1].

Smallmouth action is picking up as waters warm a few more degrees. They're moving shallow as they prepare to spawn, becoming more aggressive by the day. If you're targeting smallies, perch-patterned and white jerk baits or swim baits are producing solid results right now[1][2].

For trout enthusiasts, I've got fantastic news. Lake Champlain's native lake trout have rebounded so strongly that after decades of stocking, the population is now self-sustaining. This conservation success story means natural reproduction is maintaining healthy numbers, though officials continue their sea lamprey control program to protect this thriving fishery[5].

Hot spots to try today: The Ticonderoga section continues to produce trophy bass, while Tantas Ledge has been yielding haddock and pollock. For a more reliable groundfish catch, head to Platt's Ledge. If you're after salmon, try trolling with DB Smelt spoons – they're proving effective this week[1].

Bait recommendations: Live minnows are working well for bass in the shallows. For trout and salmon, nightcrawlers and small spoons have been productive. And don't forget those Rat-L-Traps – they're absolutely on fire for largemouth right now!

Remember folks, the $474 million annual fishing industry on Lake Champlain is thriving because of conservation efforts and responsible angling. Practice catch and release when appropriate, and always check the latest regulations.

That's all for today's report. As we always say around here, "The worst day fishing still beats the best day working!" Get out there and tight lines!

Your local angling expert,
Artificial Lure

Artificial Lure here with your Friday May 2nd Lake Champlain fishing report. It’s shaping up to be an epic spring day out on the water. The sun rose at 5:36 AM and will set tonight at 8:00 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to work the shoreline and deep water. There’s no tidal action in the lake, so make your moves based on wind and weather rather than tide.

Weatherwise, we’ve got mild spring conditions—cool morning temps in the upper 40s climbing to the mid 60s by the afternoon, with light southwest winds and decent cloud cover. Perfect for getting the bite going, as these conditions keep water temps stable and fish active throughout the day.

The bite has been excellent across much of the lake. Lake trout numbers are especially strong this year, thanks to decades of restoration and lamprey control. Biologists just declared the wild lake trout population as fully self-sustaining, marking a huge win for the fishery. Anglers have been pulling in solid lake trout both jigging and trolling, especially in the deeper holes between Valcour and Grand Isle. Use white or silver tube jigs tipped with a bit of cut bait or go with classic spoons like Suttons or Williams in 60 to 100 feet of water for best results. Dodgers with trailing flies in blue or chartreuse have also produced nice numbers lately.

Bass action is picking up fast, with smallmouth starting to stage for spawn along rocky points, especially from Plattsburgh Bay down to the Inland Sea. Ned rigs, drop-shot setups with green pumpkin or watermelon soft plastics, and jerkbaits around structure have been top choices. Largemouth are lurking in the warmer, weedy bays—think Ticonderoga or Missisquoi—where chatterbaits and Texas-rigged craws are doing the trick.

For those after a mixed bag, northern pike and yellow perch have been active in shallower weedlines—try spinnerbaits or live shiners around the mouths of tributaries first thing in the morning. Walleye season is just getting going, and anglers are reporting success trolling stickbaits like Rapalas at dusk along the south end flats.

As for hot spots, you can’t go wrong launching from the Burlington waterfront or heading to Willsboro Bay for trout and salmon. The Gut and Carry Bay have been solid for bass and pike.

Fish are moving, the water’s alive, and with a self-sustaining trout population to boot, it’s a great time to get lines wet on Lake Champlain. Tight lines and see you on the water.

[Sources: 1,2,4,5]