Why Lake Champlain?

Lake Champlain is built like several different lakes joined together. The deep northern “main lake” holds salmonids (lake trout, landlocked salmon). The middle lake — including the famous Inland Sea (between South Hero and the mainland) — is a smallmouth and pike paradise. The shallow southern end (Ticonderoga south) is classic largemouth water with extensive grass and wood cover. Five-species days are routine for adventurous anglers.

Top Target Species

Smallmouth Bass

Lake Champlain is one of the top smallmouth fisheries in the U.S. Multiple 5-pound fish are caught every trip in season. Rocky shorelines, reefs, and humps hold fish — drop-shots, tubes, Ned rigs, and jerkbaits all produce.

Largemouth Bass

The southern lake (Whitehall to Ticonderoga) and the Inland Sea grass beds hold trophy largemouth. Frogs over grass, Texas-rigged worms, and swim jigs all produce. 5–7 pound fish are realistic targets.

Northern Pike

Excellent pike fishery. Trophy fish (15–20+ lb) hold in the Inland Sea, Missisquoi Bay, and the northern bays. Large spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and dead bait on tip-ups (ice fishing) produce.

Landlocked Atlantic Salmon

Stocked salmon offer some of the best landlocked salmon fishing south of Maine. Spring and fall produce best — trolling spoons, sticks, and live smelt at 30–80 feet on downriggers.

Lake Trout

Deepwater lake trout in the main lake — vertical jigging in 80–200 feet, trolling spoons deep, or fly-lining smelt in spring at the surface. Some lakers exceed 20 lbs.

Walleye & Yellow Perch

Walleye are present but require local knowledge — rocky reefs and river mouths produce. Perch are abundant and prized for table fare; perch fishing in winter on ice is a major draw.

Best Fishing Spots

The Inland Sea

The “inner” body between the Hero Islands and the Vermont mainland. Classic structure: rock piles, grass edges, deep holes. Smallmouth, pike, perch, and walleye all live here.

Missisquoi Bay

Northern bay (border with Quebec). Shallow, weedy, and warm — pike and largemouth paradise. Heavily fished by tournament anglers.

The Main Lake (Burlington to Plattsburgh)

Deep water, big fish. Lake trout, salmon, and trophy smallmouth around the deeper structure off Valcour Island, the Four Brothers Islands, and Schuyler Island.

South Bay & Whitehall

Southern shallow end. Largemouth bass and pike water. Slow current, extensive cover.

Ticonderoga & La Chute River

Where Lake George empties into Lake Champlain. Bass, pike, and panfish.

When to Fish — Seasonal Breakdown

April: Ice-out brings landlocked salmon to the surface chasing smelt — top water trolling time.

May: Smallmouth pre-spawn — trophy time. Pike on shallow weed edges.

June: Bass season opens (3rd Saturday of June, both NY and VT). Bass fishing peaks. Salmon transition deeper.

July–August: Summer pattern — deeper for trout/salmon, smallmouth on offshore humps and points, largemouth in grass.

September–October: Fall feed — smallmouth on rocky shorelines, pike active, salmon return to shallower water for spawn.

November: Late-fall trout/salmon trolling, big pike in 6–15 feet.

December–March: Major ice fishery — perch, pike, walleye, lake trout. Vermont and NY ice tournaments draw crowds.

Charters & Guides

Bass charters: $450–$650 per day. Multi-species/trolling: $500–$750. Top guide hubs: Burlington (VT), Plattsburgh and Port Henry (NY).

Boat Ramps & Access

VT: Burlington Boat House, Mallets Bay, St. Albans Bay. NY: Plattsburgh Marina, Port Henry, Crown Point. Free state ramps throughout — most have parking.

Regulations Reminder

Both Vermont and New York have jurisdiction (reciprocal license rules apply for many sections — verify before fishing). Smallmouth/largemouth: 12″ minimum, 5 combined per day in season (third Saturday of June through Nov 30). Pike: 24″ minimum. Atlantic salmon and lake trout: verify current state-by-state slot, bag, and seasonal rules. Always check current VT Fish & Wildlife and NY DEC regulations.

More Resources

How to Catch Smallmouth · How to Catch Pike · All Location Guides