December 2025 — Lake Champlain: Ice Fishing — Perch, Pike, Lake Trout Through the Ice. December is a early winter month with water in the 36-44°F range — last open water; first ice on protected bays; steelhead. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — December 2025
Primary targets this month: Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Chain Pickerel.
Yellow Perch
Yellow perch on the protected bays — Missisquoi, Inland Sea, and the harbors; a major winter ice fishery target. Small jigs (1/16-1/8 oz) tipped with emerald shiners or minnows. Schools stack on hard bottom; once you find them, you can fill a cooler.
Northern Pike
Northern pike on Missisquoi Bay, the South Bay system, the back bays and protected coves — Champlain produces 25-40″ pike routinely, with 45″+ trophies possible. Large spinnerbaits, spoons, and jerkbaits in shallow water; live dead-bait (smelt, suckers) under tip-ups through the ice. Wire leader essential.
Lake Trout
Lake trout on the deep main lake basin (north of Burlington) — over 400 feet deep — and the deep holes off Plattsburgh, Westport, and Essex. Trolled spoons or cowbell rigs deep (80-180 ft on downriggers); jigging white tube jigs over deep structure; ice fishing with jigging Rapalas and big spoons.
Chain Pickerel
Chain pickerel on the back coves and weedy bays — Missisquoi Bay, the South Bay; year-round fishery. Aggressive predators — spinnerbaits (Booyah, Strike King), Rat-L-Traps, small jerkbaits, and inline spinners. Wire leader optional but recommended (small ones can be bitten off). Good winter fishery in protected coves.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 36-44°F. Last open water; first ice on protected bays; steelhead. Lake Champlain has no tide — it’s freshwater. Wind drives the surface and concentrates bait. The deep main lake basin holds a thermocline in summer; lake trout hold at 80-150 ft in July-August. Ice fishing on the protected bays (Missisquoi, Inland Sea) is a major winter component — typically late December through early March depending on weather.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Ice fishing. Yellow perch, walleye, pike, whitefish on protected bays. Always verify ice safety.
December Outlook
Winter patterns establishing — sheepshead, tautog, cold-water specialists take over.
Regulations Reminder
Lake Trout: Slot and bag limits vary by lake and state. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: The Fly Rod Shop (Stowe VT — fly tackle); Berlin Sport Center (Berlin VT); Plattsburgh Sporting Goods (NY side); Beebe Trapline (Plattsburgh); Joe’s Pond Country Store.
Public Boat Ramps: Burlington Boat Launch (VT — main lake), Mallets Bay public ramp (Colchester VT), Plattsburgh City Marina (NY), Westport NY Boat Launch, North Hero Public Access (Inland Sea), Missisquoi Bay ramp (Highgate).
Charter Fishing: $350–$550 bass and walleye guides; $400–$700 lake trout/salmon trolling; $250–$400 half-day; $300–$500 ice fishing guided (winter).
More Lake Champlain Resources
Lake Champlain Fishing Guide · Lake Champlain Seasonal Calendar · All Lake Champlain reports →
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