Updated: Thursday, October 15, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, October 22, 2026
This Lake Champlain fishing report covers mid-October, when cooler water brings landlocked salmon and lake trout into focus. Salmon are the lead target, active in the tributaries and near the surface of the main lake, while lake trout move onto their spawning shoals. Smallmouth bass are heading into deeper water, and northern pike and perch are active too. Wind is the main condition to plan around on the big lake, since it decides which shorelines are fishable and how rough the run gets.
What’s Hitting
Landlocked salmon are active in the tributaries and near the surface, and lake trout are on their spawning shoals. Smallmouth bass are in deeper water, and northern pike and perch are active too.
Expect lake trout to finish spawning over the coming weeks, and salmon fishing to improve as the water cools.
Where to Find Them
Troll the main lake for salmon, fish the shoals for lake trout, and drift the deeper structure for smallmouth.
Lake Champlain stretches from the Canadian border to southern Vermont, and each region has its own character. The main lake near Burlington and Plattsburgh is deep and cold, ideal for salmon and lake trout, while the northern bays hold bass, pike and perch. Pick your area based on your target species and the day’s weather.
Tides & Conditions
The moon is heading toward first quarter, but on a lake of this kind wind is the main factor. The marine forecast is the most important check before heading out, since wind direction and strength decide which shorelines are fishable.
Lake Champlain is shared between New York and Vermont, and regulations can differ by state and by section of the lake.
Tackle & Tactics
- Salmon: spoons and streamers.
- Smallmouth: jigs and tube baits on deeper structure.
- Gear: medium-heavy tackle is a good choice.
Use electronics to find structure and bait, and troll slowly with a variety of spoons. Salmon in cooling water often roam high in the water column, so set lines at several depths and change spoon colors until a pattern appears. Pay attention to wind, as the big lake can get rough.
Local Intel This Week
Launch at Plattsburgh, Burlington or Grand Isle, and pick the ramp on the lee side of the day’s wind. Perkins Pier in Burlington puts you close to the deep main lake for salmon, Plattsburgh Marina serves the New York side, and Crown Point gives access to the southern end. New York and Vermont rules both apply on this water. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
Cover water. Troll until you find fish, then work the area thoroughly. Salmon and smallmouth both tend to group up in the fall, so where one fish turns up, others are often close by.
Planning a trip to Lake Champlain?
This report tells you what happened. ReelAI tells you what to do about it — a briefing for your date, your target species and how you're fishing, built from our reports plus live NOAA and USGS data.
Powered by ReelAI — fishing.digital's intelligence layer. Answers are generated from fishing.digital reports and public NOAA, NWS and USGS data, and may be incomplete or out of date. Regulations and marine safety information are summaries only; always confirm with the responsible authority before you fish.