Lake Champlain Fishing Report — Week of November 12, 2026: Yellow Perch, Landlocked Salmon, Walleye

Updated: Thursday, November 12, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, November 19, 2026

This Lake Champlain fishing report is a seasonal outlook for the week of November 12, built from the forecast and late-fall habits rather than verified catches. A coastal storm crossing the Northeast late this week is expected to bring rain, wind and higher-elevation snow in parts of New England, followed by chilly weather. On Lake Champlain, cooling water in November concentrates yellow perch into large schools and pushes landlocked salmon and lake trout closer to shore.

What’s Hitting

Yellow perch are the most reliable target, gathering in big schools on mud flats and weed edges as water cools. Landlocked Atlantic salmon and lake trout move closer to shore and can be caught near river mouths and shoreline structure. Walleye feed along drop-offs and rocky points, especially at dusk. Northern pike remain active in weedy bays until ice-up. Smallmouth bass move to deeper water. Perch schools often roam, so expect to move until a concentration is found. Lake trout are most catchable from shore around river mouths during low light.

Where to Find Them

Malletts Bay and the Inland Sea on the Vermont side are known perch and pike areas. The mouths of the Winooski, Lamoille and Saranac rivers attract salmon and trout in fall. The Burlington breakwater offers shoreline structure. Missisquoi Bay in the north and the South Lake near Whitehall are perch and walleye areas. Along the New York shore, Cumberland Bay near Plattsburgh and the Ausable River mouth draw salmon and trout. Deep drop-offs off Valcour Island hold walleye and lake trout.

Tides & Conditions

Wind controls conditions on the lake, and late-fall storms can create dangerous waves. Water temperatures are steadily falling. Expect rough conditions during the storm and calmer weather by early next week. Check forecasts carefully before launching. Big swells can build on the broad lake when a north or south wind runs its length, so choose sheltered bays on windy days. Cold water makes any fall overboard dangerous.

Tackle & Tactics

For perch, use small jigs or minnows near the bottom. Salmon and lake trout respond to spoons, stickbaits or streamers cast near shore. Walleye take jigs or crankbaits at dusk. Northern pike respond to large spoons or swimbaits. Dress warmly and wear a life jacket. A light six- to seven-foot spinning rod with four- to six-pound line suits perch, while a medium rod with eight- to ten-pound line handles salmon and walleye.

Local Intel This Week

The Burlington waterfront and the Perkins Pier ramp provide access to the lake. Sand Bar State Park near Milton offers access to the Inland Sea. Plattsburgh’s municipal marina gives New York-side access. The Malletts Bay area has public ramps. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish. Vermont and New York regulations may differ.

This Week’s Tip

Use electronics to locate perch schools on the flats, then anchor and fish small jigs vertically. Once you find perch, mark the spot, since schools often hold on the same flat for days in late fall.