Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for March 31, 2025. Let's dive right in!
First off, we're looking at a partly cloudy day with temperatures in the mid-40s Fahrenheit. There's a light breeze coming from the southwest at about 5-10 mph. The sun peeked over the horizon at 6:30 AM, and we'll see it dip back down around 7:17 PM.
Now, onto the fishing! The ice is finally off most of the lake, and the fish are starting to get active. Water temps are hovering around 40°F, which means we're seeing some good action, especially for cold-water species.
Tides aren't a huge factor on Champlain, but there is a slight fluctuation. We've got a low tide at 8:58 AM and a high at 12:29 PM. Keep an eye on those river mouths during the tide changes for some extra action.
Lake trout and landlocked salmon have been the stars of the show lately. Anglers are reporting good success trolling with spoons in 40-60 feet of water. The Sutton 71 in copper or silver has been a hot lure. For you salmon chasers, try working the mouths of tributaries with stick baits or small spoons.
Bass fishing is picking up, with both largemouth and smallmouth starting to move into shallower water. Jerkbaits and drop shot rigs have been producing well. Don't be afraid to throw a chatterbait in areas with submerged vegetation.
Pike fishing has been excellent in the shallower bays. Big spoons and swimbaits are your best bet for these toothy critters.
As for hot spots, I'd recommend checking out Malletts Bay for a mix of species, or head up to the Inland Sea area for some good smallmouth action. The Champlain Bridge area has also been producing some nice lake trout.
Remember, folks, the key to success this time of year is to fish slow and deep. Don't be afraid to switch up your presentations if you're not getting any bites.
Lastly, we've been hearing reports of some monster carp being caught. If you're looking for a real challenge, try your luck with some carp fishing. They're putting up quite a fight!
That's all for now, anglers. Stay safe out there, and tight lines!