It’s Sunday, August 31st, and I’m Artificial Lure with your Lake Champlain fishing report.

We kicked off the morning at 6:13 AM with a vibrant sunrise out across the water (sunset will be about 7:32 PM tonight), under partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-60s rising to low 70s by noon—no major fronts today, just a classic Champlain summer tapering into September. Winds are light from the north, five to ten knots, keeping the surface calm for both boat and bank anglers.

Lake Champlain isn’t tidal so there’s no tide forecast, but you will notice bite windows around sunrise and sunset and whenever those surface ripples stir some bait. Water clarity’s looking real good. The lake’s in prime shape after the recent basin water quality push from Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program funding, so we’re seeing healthy weedbeds near shore and outstanding visibility.

Fish activity’s been picking up, especially for late summer. Just this week, several local boats reported outstanding numbers of smallmouth bass, a handful of chunky largemouth, and the steady bonus walleye and northern pike. Some charters near Plattsburgh and South Hero tallied double-digit bags of smallies, most in the 2–4 lb class. Both Vermont and New York sides producing, but the New York shallows around Valcour Island and Kings Bay have been the hot ticket for bass action.

Best lures? Tournament anglers swear by natural and translucent patterns: green pumpkin, watermelon, and smoke. Tubes, ned rigs, and drop-shot rigs with finesse worms are scoring regularly, especially in the rocky shoals north of Burlington. Soft swimbaits and the Rabid Baits Rab Shad, recommended by local guide Jake Stem, are top for chasing feeding smallmouth that are keying in on young-of-year baitfish right now. If you’re flipping weedlines for largemouth, try weightless senkos or a black and blue jig. Pike have been tearing up silver spoons and inline spinners, especially when fished fast along weed edges.

Live bait’s always on the menu for multispecies catches. Fathead minnows and nightcrawlers under slip bobbers are the ticket for walleye, yellow perch, and the odd bullhead. For carp or drum, early risers tossing corn or dough baits near river mouths have found surprising action. If you’re after lake trout, vertical jigging with white tubes or casting flutter spoons in 50-80 feet off Thompson’s Point is productive.

Two local hot spots to highlight:
- Point Au Roche State Park: Plenty of rocky structure, weedlines, and steady perch and bass numbers.
- Hatchery Brook outlets (Missisquoi Bay): Tons of bait and big mixed bags. Early mornings have been best before weekend traffic warms up.

For local history fans: Fort Ticonderoga is hosting the Real Time Revolution reenactment today. Great scenery and a good place to bring the family for fishing, a picnic, and a little living history right on Champlain’s shore.

That’s your Lake Champlain fishing conditions for August 31st. Thanks for tuning in, be sure to subscribe for future updates, and always respect the lake—leave no trace, take only memories (and maybe a few fish for dinner).

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Artificial Lure here with your Saturday, August 30th Lake Champlain fishing report. The sun poked up at 6:14 this morning and it’ll tuck away at 7:31 tonight, so we've got plenty of daylight to chase the bite. Weather’s classic late-summer Champlain—starting off cool in the low 60s, warming up with calm winds most of the day and just a hint of haze out on the open water. Looks like stable barometer pressure and no storms rolling in, which means ideal fishing conditions for most of the day.

Now, tides don’t swing much on Champlain since she’s an inland lake, but river mouths like the Ausable and Otter Creek show increased movement mid-morning and then again late afternoon as water levels ebb and flow from upstream. That’ll get the baitfish moving and predators on the hunt.

Fish are active and spread out this week. High reports of lively smallmouth and largemouth, with some impressive numbers. According to the Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York Daily Fishing Report podcast, smallmouth are sizzling along rocky shorelines and shallower humps, with catches up to 4 pounds not rare. Largemouth are gravitating to weedlines and flooded timber, especially in Missisquoi Bay and the inland coves south of Plattsburgh—multiple bass over 5 pounds came in this week. Don’t overlook the lake trout and landlocked salmon either; trolling 50-70 feet down in deep holes north of Split Rock and near Juniper Island has produced solid catches, mostly on classic spoons.

Pan fisherman, this is prime time—with good numbers of yellow perch and slab crappie reported in Otter Creek just off the Fort Cassin ramp and in the South Bay area. Ironically, a few lucky folks also plucked some late-season steelhead and browns at the mouths of tributaries, working small spinners at dawn.

Best lures? For smallmouth and largemouth, Lake Champlain Bassmaster events and local guides alike recommend Ned rigs, green pumpkin tubes, and drop-shot rigs with shad-colored baits for the rocks and points. A lot of folks are swearing by 3–4 inch swimbaits this week around dock pilings. For reaction strikes in low light, you can’t go wrong with a squarebill crankbait or a buzzbait skipped along the edges of submerged grass—Kyoya Fujita’s Bassmaster-winning approach with a squarebill worked magic last tournament. Largemouth are smashing live shiners or a jig-and-craw combo.

Lake trout and salmon are hitting trolled spoons—think orange and silver or blue and chrome. Early morning, set your riggers just above the thermocline, which is hanging around 55 feet right now. For panfish, use small hair jigs and fathead minnows on a slip float near brush piles and creek mouths.

Now, let’s talk hot spots. If you want numbers and size for smallies, Kingsland Bay and the chunk rock out from Valcour Island are two of the hottest tickets lately. Work the rocky transitions 8 to 18 feet deep. For largemouth, look to Missisquoi Bay and the south end of Carry Bay—flip creature baits into heavy grass and wait for that telltale thump. For trollers, that deep trench off Juniper Island and the mouth of Otter Creek have yielded both big lakers and some surprise salmon early.

Water clarity remains good, but remember the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program is on the water with more conservation work, so let’s keep those launches clean and respect any signage at river mouths as habitat work continues.

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Friday, August 29, 2025.

We’re waking up in the tail end of a late-August heatwave, with temps climbing early into the 80s; highs later expected in the upper 90s if this streak holds. It's muggy, with little wind at sunrise—forecast says light west winds will pick up around noon to 8-10 mph, but expect glassy water at daybreak. Sunrise was at 6:13 AM and sunset’s scheduled for 7:33 PM, giving you a long window to chase them. With no tides in a freshwater lake, pay attention to wind shifts and cloud cover—which today are spotty at best.

The main story this week is *hot bass action* all across the lake, especially for those working dropshot rigs and deep-water jigs. Reports from yesterday and earlier in the week say the bite has been consistent even in the roasting midday sun—seems these Champlain smallmouth are hungry, unbothered by the heat. Anglers have been catching good numbers, but you gotta be quick—lots of bites but plenty of missed fish, too. Both largemouth and smallmouth are being landed, with the bigger smallies getting extra attention. Out west, around Plattsburgh and the Inland Sea, locals have posted photos of chunky “brown fish”—average catches were 2 to 4 pounds, with a few over 5 if you hit the right pile.

Best baits lately are the classics: soft plastics in natural colors, especially goby and green pumpkin dropshot worms. Dipping into the grass beds with a heavier (3/4 oz) jig, as recommended by pros on social media, has produced not just numbers but size—especially late mornings once the sun is high. Ned rigs are putting fish in the boat for shore anglers over rock piles, while folks dragging Carolina rigs on flats have found some bonus walleye in the deeper passes between Grand Isle and North Hero.

If it’s multi-species you’re after, trolling the deeper holes off the southern basin near Benson, Vermont, put out a few lake trout this week—one trip described as “the most amazing” in some time, with a handful of bruisers but no monsters. Walleye activity hit mid-morning near the mouths of Otter Creek and Missisquoi Bay; best bet is still small minnow imitations or real shiners. Scarlet and Elliot nearly landed a musky near Isle La Motte yesterday, but it threw the lure at the net, so musky chasers, get your big spinners and patience ready.

For hot spots today:
- **Plattsburgh Docks and Bays**: Early bite on docks, especially with Ned rigs and soft stickbaits. Shady edges or the weedline transition are money just after sunrise.
- **Inland Sea & North Hero reefs**: Consistent smallmouth numbers, work DS worms or jig the grass beds as the sun climbs.
- **Benson Deep Water Ledges**: Lake trout and big bass, especially trolling deep cranks or heavy tubes midday.

Keep an eye on changing water levels; the drawdown and wind can shuffle fish fast, so move if you’re not getting bit. Afternoon breeze should help, but if the wind barrels up, the waves may cut your drift short.

So, bring extra water, some sunscreen, and swap out the light jigs for heavier ones as the sun gets cranking. Don’t be afraid to try some docks if the main lake slows down. The fish are active, the weather is hot, and Lake Champlain’s serving up a classic late August bite.

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Artificial Lure here, reporting from Lake Champlain where late August always means prime action. We’re waking up this morning to classic dog-day weather. AccuWeather is calling for highs around 78, light southwest winds, and mostly sunny skies—ideal conditions for both Vermont and New York sides. Sunrise hit at 6:10 AM today, with sunset coming around 7:40 PM, so there’s plenty of daylight to work the water.

With the Sturgeon Moon on the horizon, there’s a bit of magic in the air. August’s full moon owes its name to this very lake, known for once supporting giant sturgeon. The moon’s pull isn’t making tides here, but it’s got fish feeding early and late—expect another hot dusk bite as the sun dips low, just before moonrise.

The real talk among local anglers right now is about the smallmouth. Just yesterday, pops flew in and wanted to get a piece of the “smallie” action—a wise move. Folks have had fantastic luck on goby-pattern soft plastics, especially the custom poured Bruiserbait MINNR’ 30 and the McMinnow, both fished tight to rocky shorelines and drop-offs. If you hit the weed edges, you can intercept some largemouth lurking for an easy meal. The Big Bite Baits Scentsation Slim Minnow in chartreuse/white laminate has been nailing both species, according to recent trips.

Don’t ignore the freshwater drum—sometimes overlooked, but right now they’re schooling in 10-25 feet of water. Best method? Vertical jig a Berkley Vibrato or Cicada blade bait, silver or gold if you’re in clear water, but I favor bright colors in the deeper holes to get their attention. Drum have poor eyesight, so make it pop. Best natural bait? Live crayfish—if you can get your hands on some, it’s dynamite, but always check Vermont or New York regs before moving bait between waters.

Reports from the south end near the Champlain Bridge are showing multi-species action. Smallmouth are coming in strong, plus drum and the occasional big northern pike. The Inland Sea side is hot with largemouth busting through the milfoil mats, especially around Missisquoi Bay. Topwater frogs early, then switch to a slow-rolled swimbait or a black/blue jig as the sun climbs.

If you’re bank fishing, consider Blumpkin/blue colored baits—the recycled plastics crowd is matching the hatch with weapons-grade colors this week, per anglers sharing on social media.

As for what’s biting, it’s a mixed bag: good numbers of smallmouth in the 2-to-3 pound class, a few largemouth close to 4 pounds, drum to five pounds, and some feisty perch mixed in. No reports of sturgeon—just the namesake moon keeping them on folks’ minds.

A couple hot spots:
- Rocky points near Burlington’s North Beach: Early smallie bite, especially at dawn.
- Fort Cassin reef out from Ferrisburgh: Drum and big perch stacked on the drop.
- Inland Sea’s Missisquoi Bay: Largemouth and bowfin prowling the weeds.

Remember, with tourists thinning out and boat traffic easing, late August is the time to put a pattern together. If you’re looking for a quiet stretch, try north of Plattsburgh, where the bluffs keep the wind calm and the crowds light.

That’s the August 27 Lake Champlain report from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for more local updates and tips. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing update for Sunday, August 24th, 2025. If you love early mornings on the lake, today’s the day to get out there—a crisp 57°F sunrise painted the water around 6:10 AM, with today’s sunset expected at 7:49 PM. Expect light northwest breezes picking up after breakfast, making for near-ideal late-summer conditions.

No tides to worry about on Champlain, but water levels are steady and clarity’s decent in most coves and along the edges. The Sturgeon Moon is still lingering, which has those fish digging in for late summer feedings. Air temps should climb to the upper 70s with scattered clouds, so bring your layers and your sunscreen—a classic Champlain day.

Let’s talk catching. The word from the local tournaments and guides: bass action is absolutely on fire. The Inland Sea Bass Anglers group just weighed in bags over 22 pounds for five largemouths, all pulled from St. Albans Bay. Bob France and his crew reported a wild first day with heavyweight smallmouth and largemouth before their second day got blown out by wind.

Largemouth are tucked into milfoil beds, especially on the Vermont side near the islands, and classic structure like old dock pilings near Crown Point is giving up bigger fish. If smallmouth are your quest, the southern points by Fort Ticonderoga and along the deeper rocky shelves off Valcour Island are hot—lively action early and then as the sun climbs, they’re stacking in 12-18 feet.

Best baits this week? Chatterbaits in shad or green pumpkin have been a secret weapon according to Woods N Weeds Outdoors, with reports of 23-pound bags on five bass in just a couple of hours. Spinnerbaits are cleaning up as well, especially when the wind picks up or clouds roll in—burn ‘em fast over grass flats for smallies. And don’t overlook a drop shot with a 4-inch green pumpkin worm on those transition rocks for lethargic midday bites.

Natural bait anglers have been doing well drifting nightcrawlers and golden shiners around the mouths of Otter Creek and Missisquoi Bay—pretty mix of perch and the occasional slab crappie. Walleye reports are picking up at twilight; troll stickbaits along the breaklines north of the Champlain Bridge or deep jig with a half crawler after dusk.

Don’t sleep on the lake trout either—if you’ve got the gear, troll deeper water off Converse Bay or Charlotte with chartreuse spoons down 60-80 feet.

For hotspots:
- The Inland Sea, especially St. Albans Bay, is loaded with active largemouths.
- The points and rock piles around Valcour Island and the shoals south of Fort Ticonderoga are teeming with decent smallies.
- The weedlines off North Hero and Grand Isle continue to deliver mixed bags and steady action.
Campsites at Grand Isle State Park are open and quiet, making for a peaceful base for multi-day anglers.

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Artificial Lure here—Lake Champlain’s wide waters are waking up to a beautiful late-summer Saturday, and the bite is on. We’ve just passed the peak of August’s Sturgeon Moon, named for those legendary lake giants that used to dominate our area; you might still catch its glow at night if you’re out chasing catfish or bowfin according to recent notes from NASA and the Old Farmer’s Almanac. That moon cycle can really charge up fish activity, and folks are saying the nights have been lively for big predator action.

Weather-wise, the National Weather Service in Burlington calls for a mild morning, light SW winds around 7 mph, and smooth water for much of today. Expect highs topping out near the mid-70s, humidity moderate, and no rain in the immediate forecast. Sunrise was at 6:09 AM and sunset will come at 7:45 PM, giving anglers a fine long window to hit their favorite spots.

Recent catches have been solid, despite a few days of wild chop earlier in the week—especially for bass chasers. Local Instagram reels and Bassmaster reports show smallmouth coming up from deeper water on finesse rigs and football jigs. Picasso Lures jigs have turned out some of the biggest bass of the summer for a couple of guides running out of Plattsburgh and Burlington. Offshore largemouth are in play too, with My Chaotic Fishing noting success on drop-offs and weedlines. Buzzbaits and frogs are producing on the surface in heavier vegetation—Wired2Fish recommends hitting the thick reed clumps and rice beds and switching presentations when you find dense mats.

Numbers wise, guides have been landing boat limits on mixed smallmouth and largemouth, with average weights between 2 and 4 pounds and the occasional kicker breaking the 5-pound mark. Pike and bowfin bite is picking up as well, especially after sunset and near tributary mouths. The panfish run is reliable if you’re hauling the kids—lots of bluegill and yellow perch coming off worms and small in-line spinners.

For bait, nothing’s beating a **football jig** (green pumpkin or brown) down deep for smallmouth, while a **white buzzbait** or **booyah pad crasher frog** is hot in the shallower, weedy bays. If you’re banking it, try a senko wacky rigged around docks for both species—Lake Champlain’s bass never seem to get tired of it. Live bait anglers are moving decent numbers of perch and sunfish using small shiners or nightcrawlers under slip bobbers.

Hot spots this week:
- **The Inland Sea** near North Hero saw exceptional smallmouth action over humps and boulder piles.
- **Missisquoi Bay** on the north end—weedline largemouth and some quality pike.
- **Juniper Island drop-offs**—marks on side imaging, fish stacked up from 18 to 32 feet.
- And don’t skip the **Shelburne Point** area at dawn; multiple boats put up big numbers tight to the rocky shore.

If you get the itch after all this, hit up the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes—Chris Sabick and his crew are always happy to talk local history.

That’s the Lake Champlain fishing report for August 23rd, 2025. Thanks for tuning in and don’t forget to subscribe for your weekly fix of hooks, local lore, and on-the-water updates.

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Lake Champlain woke up humid and warm today, with balmy southwest breezes stirring the water before sunrise at 6:07 a.m. Expect temps to climb into the mid-80s with patchy morning fog giving way to sun, a classic late-August pattern here in the valley. The sunset will be at 7:44 p.m., and the air feels crisp under the lingering glow of August’s Sturgeon Moon, which is just beginning to wane—no tidal swings to speak of since this is freshwater, but the moon’s pull is still stirring plenty of life in the shallows, especially early and late.

Recent outings have been hot! According to social media reports from locals and visiting anglers, smallmouth bass have been lighting up the bite since the weekend, with several catches over 23 pounds for five-bass tournament limits, especially around rocky shoals and deeper humps near the Four Brothers Islands and north of Burlington. Anglers have also scored well along the New York shore near Plattsburgh and Rouses Point, mixing in chunky largemouth bass from weed beds and docks. Spinnerbaits and curly tail grubs have been the ticket for smallies, with dark colors working best as the water remains a touch stained after recent rains.

If you’re targeting largemouth, stick to the classic Bruiser Baits Crazy Craw—locals say there’s not a spot on the lake where it won’t get crushed, especially when fished slow near milfoil patches or around boat launches in Missisquoi Bay. For numbers, work topwater poppers at first light and switch to Senkos or minnows as the sun climbs. As always, live nightcrawlers and shiners are producing solid multi-species action, with bonus yellow perch and the occasional northern pike showing up in the mix. Fresh-cut bait is drawing catfish near the mouths of the Lamoille and Saranac rivers.

Reports from fish camps wrapping up last week suggest panfish are abundant—look for tight schools of bluegill and sunfish around sheltered marinas and shallow coves, perfect for young anglers. No word on sturgeon encountered, but with the Sturgeon Moon overhead, folks have staked out deeper flats just in case.

If you’re planning a trip, two current hot spots stand out: the broad flats just east of Valcour Island are holding roaming smallmouth, and the weed edges at Sand Bar State Park attract both bass and pickerel as baitfish move in at dawn. Don’t overlook the historic shoreline near Fort Ticonderoga—aside from great fishing, you’ll enjoy unbeatable views and maybe catch a reenactment on the water.

Best bets today:
- Smallmouth: deep humps and shoals, spinnerbaits, curly tails, crayfish imitations.
- Largemouth: weed beds and docks, paddle-tails, Crazy Craws, live shiners.
- Pike and pickerel: off weed edges, spoons, jerkbaits.
- Panfish: shallow coves, worms, small jigs or bobber setups.

Fish are active across the lake, with most bites strongest at dawn and again at dusk. The weekend should only get better as the moon wanes and water temps remain stable.

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Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

Sunrise crested the horizon at 6:02 AM, painting the Adirondacks and Green Mountains while a hint of mist drifted above the main lake. Sunset tonight is at 7:47 PM, giving you a full day to chase linesides and bass before the last light slips away. No tidal swings here, but water levels remain steady, with winds light out of the north and temperatures expected to hit the high 70s by midday—ideal conditions for a variety of bites.

Recent action around the lake is sizzling. The Bassmaster Elite crowd packed up last week as Ed Loughran took top honors—locals and pros alike have continued hauling *two and three pound smallmouth* and *largemouth bass*[Lake Champlain Instagram]. In the shallows, smallmouth remain active, taking advantage of the lingering forage: bluegill, perch, goby, and especially crayfish. Kayak anglers, like those on the Serious Angler Podcast, have been subtle in their approach: spybaits such as the Duo Realis Spinbait 80 and classic hair jigs like the Beast Coast Superfly have produced bites even from finicky shallow bass[Wired2Fish].

Best bet for smallmouth this morning is keeping your presentation low-key. Make long casts with a medium-light set-up, five-pound braid to an eight-pound fluoro leader. Hair jigs in natural patterns, fished slow along rocky drop-offs or the inside weed edges, remain a reliable ticket. Spybaits in shad or perch colors track well in clear water and are drawing strikes near Split Rock and out from Port Douglas.

If you’re after largemouth or just want variety, plastic stick worms rigged weightless—think green pumpkin or watermelon—have proved solid on inside weed mats and docks at Malletts Bay and Sand Bar. The new Slim Minnow by Big Bite Baits in Chart/White Laminate has also become a star performer for both bass species throughout the weekend. Several anglers reported consistent catches around rocky points and submerged timber, especially north of Burlington[Lake Champlain Instagram].

Lake trout are still showing off deep. Local reports highlight orange tubes and swim baits tipped with F.A.T Sauce, with over 30 lakers boated in the Catskills region just yesterday[Fishupnorth Instagram]. Here on Champlain, drop these setups to forty feet or deeper near Thompson’s Point or the ferry channel for your best shot. Pair an orange tube with a stinger hook for bonus bites.

Perch and panfish abound for families and casual sessions. Small jigging spoons or live bait (minnows and worms) work wonders along Bayside and the shallow coves of Carry Bay. Set your hook quickly; pressured waters mean fish are savvy.

Two hot spots for today:
- **Split Rock, NY side:** Steep rocky shelves where smallmouth and lakers are patrolling—perfect for those who want variety.
- **Malletts Bay, VT side:** Thick weedlines, docks, and scattered rock clusters make it a largemouth haven, with chances for decent smallies too.

Be aware—environmental crews have flagged further hemlock woolly adelgid invasive spread near Port Douglas. Stay on the lookout for changes in shoreline vegetation, especially where these insects might impact long-term shoreline cover[Outdoor News]. And don’t forget, black bears are active around the lake’s south end, so stash your sandwiches, keep boats tidy, and enjoy the wild backdrop.

Thanks for tuning in, folks. Subscribe for more reports and stay sharp out there—keep hooks sharp, leaders fresh, and remember every cast brings the next big story.

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Sunday, August 17th, 2025, right at sunrise.

Lake Champlain greeted us with a mild, almost glassy surface at dawn, with locals commenting on how “the lake’s got that still-water magic today.” The National Weather Service in Burlington calls for partly cloudy skies this morning and a fresh breeze picking up from the southwest around midday. Temps are starting in the high 60s, expected to nudge past 77 by afternoon. Keep an eye out—the wind’s forecasted to reach 10–15 knots later, which could kick up a light chop for boaters. Sunrise hit at 5:59 a.m. and tonight’s sunset rolls in at 7:55 p.m.

Now, onto the bite. Anglers are still riding the late-summer action, especially around the Inland Sea and the mouth of Otter Creek. Over the last couple of days, local guides report “solid bags” of smallmouth and largemouth bass, with some folks pulling up 4- and 5-pounders using crankbaits and soft plastics. Just this week, My Chaotic Fishing’s Peter shared a video showcasing nice offshore largemouth action—that season turnover bite is hitting hard, and folks fishing deep have been rewarded. The best part is the “numbers are up,” with most boats comfortably landing ten or more keepers in a morning. Instagram’s @phillipwade posted a 15-11 bag from Champlain in the last tournament, mentioning lost fish meant the potential for an 18-19 lb. haul—so the big ones are absolutely here.

On the lure front, orange’s still ruling for lake trout—the crowd’s raving about orange tubes and swim baits dressed with a touch of scent like F.A.T Sauce. Bass are hitting on mid-diving crankbaits in shad, perch, and bluegill patterns, especially where baitballs are marking deeper structure. If you’re after smallies, don’t overlook Ned rigs or drop-shots with natural finesse worms; the clearer water lets them shine. Worm harnesses and live nightcrawlers over rocky humps also produce, especially for those drifting in deeper basins. With the minor cold snap last week, evening topwater is picking up along breaklines, particularly with walking baits and poppers.

For shore anglers, docks around the Burlington and Plattsburgh marinas have offered steady perch and panfish, too—small live minnows and cutworms are pulling up eater-sized slabs for family anglers.

Two hotspots not to miss: the Inland Sea just northwest of Grand Isle, and the weed beds along Carry Bay. Both zones have been big-fish factories lately, with steady catches from sunrise right through mid-morning. For a shot at big bronze, hit the rocky drops near Valcour Island late morning, working jigs and swimbaits.

There’s no significant tidal swing on Lake Champlain, but these calm August mornings mean peak fish activity early—plan to hit your prime spots by 6 a.m. before winds and weekend traffic pick up.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake Champlain fishing update with Artificial Lure. Don’t forget to subscribe for tomorrow’s report, and tight lines out there! This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Artificial Lure here with your August 16, 2025 Lake Champlain fishing report, coming to you crisp from the Vermont/New York border. Sunrise hit at 5:57 a.m., painting the mountains gold, and anglers are out before breakfast chasing that legendary Lake Champlain bite. Sunset tonight will be 8:02 p.m.—prime conditions for that evening topwater action you wait for all summer.

Weather’s cool and comfortable today: upper 50s early, climbing to the mid-70s by noon, with light west winds and clear skies, according to the National Weather Service in Burlington. Water clarity is good in most spots, with a touch of late-summer algae bloom in shallower coves. Wave action will be low except if the wind picks up later this afternoon; nothing that’ll keep the serious boats off the water.

No true tides here, but keep an eye on local wind forecasts and lake flow. With yesterday’s steady barometer and calm, warm nights, fish are in stable feeding patterns.

Now the news every angler wants—what’s biting and where. Recent reports from the Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York Daily Fishing Report podcast confirm the smallmouth are absolutely fired up, especially around rocky points and drop-offs near Thompson’s Point, Valcour Island, and the deeper edges of the Inland Sea. It’s that time: the Sturgeon Moon just passed, and plenty of keeper bass, some pushing over four pounds, have come to the boat this week. Don’t be surprised if you tangle with a football-shaped smallie or two—word is, BMP Fishing was just here and put up over 20 pounds in a tournament on drop shots and Ned rigs.

Largemouth are hanging tight to weed edges in Malletts Bay, Missisquoi Bay, and the southern shallows. Early morning and dusk, try pitching jigs or Texas-rigged Senkos along reed lines. Still, the topwater explosion is on: throw a Pop-R or a hollow frog across mats at daybreak.

Lake trout and Atlantic salmon action is steady for trollers running deep over 70-100 feet near Thompson’s Point and the Split Rock area. Downriggers and lead core with spoons in white, silver, or perch patterns are producing steady action. The lakers are hitting best between breakfast and lunchtime, then dropping deeper as the sun rises.

Panfish are hot, too—sunny days bring bluegills and pumpkinseeds into the shallows near the mouth of Otter Creek and around North Hero. Small worms or tiny jigs under a float will fill a bucket in no time.

As for hot baits and lures:
- For smallmouth, bring your drop shot rig with Berkley Flat Worms (MPOutdoors calls it “THE BEST” drop shot plastic for Champlain).
- Goby imitations (like the 3.3” Goliath Goby) are fooling pressured bass this week.
- Topwater walkers and poppers work best before 8 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
- For trout, flashers paired with white or green spoons trolled at 2 mph around 80 feet down will get hit.

Best two hot spots today? The rocky humps off Valcour Island for smallmouth and the weed edges out from Sandbar State Park for largemouth—both have produced numbers and size according to the latest angler feedback.

A quick heads-up: Watch your footing along the wild shoreline, especially in shallow rocky areas—this lake is home to a healthy population of northern water snakes and the occasional (rare, but real) timber rattlesnake as Vermont.com reminds us. They keep to themselves, but give any snake a wide berth.

That’s your August 16th Champlain check-in! Whether you’re casting from the Burlington Waterfront or drifting off Willsboro, get after them today—conditions are setting up for some of the best bites of late summer.

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