Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York Fishing Report - Daily

This is Artificial Lure, your source for boots-on-the-ground, rod-in-hand insight from beautiful Lake Champlain, straddling Vermont and New York on this brisk Thursday, October 23rd, 2025.We’re starting off with the weather—a classic late-October chill has rolled in overnight, with temps hovering in the upper 30s at daybreak, reaching for the high 40s by midday. Expect partly cloudy skies and a steady north-northwest breeze at 10 to 15 mph, making for a brisk but fishable day. Sunrise was at 7:18 a.m. and sunset will fall around 5:55 p.m. No tides to report here, since Champlain isn’t tidal, but water levels are a story—drought conditions have dropped the lake to historic autumn lows. According to the Mountain Times and Mainely Fly Fishing, you’ll find exposed shorelines and rocky flats you’d rarely see without a boat in other years.With all that exposed structure, fish are bunched up tighter than a pickerel in a minnow trap. The “Lake Champlain Vermont/New York Fishing Report Daily” podcast confirms it’s been a banner week for smallmouth bass—think fat, bronze footballs schooling up on those rocky points and drop-offs. Some anglers are reporting catches of 20-30 smallmouth in a single outing, mostly in the 2-3 pound class with the occasional 4 to 5-pound hawg mixed in. Northern pike are active in weed beds and shallow bays, and there’s a steady walleye bite at first light and dusk, especially on the deeper edges near river mouths. Jumbo perch are also on the chew, with buckets being filled around the Inland Sea and Missisquoi Bay.Lure-wise, this is the time to slow things way down. Those smallies are hammering Ned rigs, tube jigs in green pumpkin, and brown, as well as suspending jerkbaits worked along rocky ledges—especially just after sunrise. For pike, big white spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and classic red-and-white spoons are your ticket. If you’re targeting walleye, dusk til dark is money on 3-4 inch soft plastics fished on a jighead, as well as blade baits bumped along the bottom. Perch are gorging on smaller offerings: try live fathead minnows or perch-patterned jigs under a slip bobber.Don’t forget about the other players—trout are staging near cold tributary mouths, and, if you’re dedicated, there are still big lake-run salmon moving on cloudy, windy afternoons. Folks tossing blue and silver spoons at the Winooski or Ausable River outflows have picked up a few bruisers lately.My top hot spots for today: - Point Au Roche State Park on the New York side—shallow, rocky points and weedbeds are loaded with smallies and pike. - The Inland Sea’s north shore, near North Hero, boasting piles of aggressive perch and pike in the remaining green weeds. - The mouth of the Lamoille River in Malletts Bay is producing both walleye after sunset and some bonus smallmouth midday.In these drought conditions, stealth, light line, and picking apart visible structure are key—a slow, methodical approach will get you bit when others blank.That’ll do it for your Lake Champlain fishing fix today. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget—subscribe for your daily dose from Artificial Lure. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The North Country served up a crisp, classic Champlain autumn morning—air temps were in the low 40s at dawn, warming to a high just shy of 60 by midafternoon, with a light north breeze keeping things cool. Sunrise eased in at 7:15 AM and we’ll see sunset at 5:58 PM tonight. Surface water temp remains steady in the upper 50s, and after a chilly night, expect fish to stay deep until midmorning.There’s no tidal movement on Champlain, but these cooling trends and shorter days have definitely sparked the fall bite. According to Lake Champlain Daily Fishing Report, the smallmouth action has been terrific; anglers are reporting smallie blitzes along rocky points and drop-offs, especially on the Vermont side near Thompson’s Point and the New York bays around Willsboro[Lake Champlain Daily Fishing Report].Top lures this week have been natural-colored jerkbaits, blade baits, and soft plastics—Yamamoto Slim Senkos in green pumpkin or shad patterns are working wonders on the finesse rigs[Gary Yamamoto Slim Senko | Bass Pro Shops Canada]. Mix in a topwater walk-the-dog early in the morning if the water stays calm—anglers pulling in right at first light have been rewarded with some chunky bronzebacks pounding poppers and spooks[Lake Champlain Daily Fishing Report]. Once the sun is up, slow it down and work Ned rigs or tube jigs bounced along the bottom.Don’t sleep on the walleye, either. Several locals trolling crawler harnesses and deep diving cranks west of the Sand Bar and off the mouth of Otter Creek have landed keeper eyes this week. If you’re after toothy critters, pike and the occasional musky have been showing up in the shallow weed pockets—white spinnerbaits and big swimbaits get the nod there.Live bait—shiners and nightcrawlers—are still producing, but most are moving to lures as water clarity improves and weed growth drops back. The cooler water puts fish on the hunt, so covering water pays off, but patience with those slow drags will still beat speed most days in late October.Recent counts from local bait shops and the podcast crowd show plenty of smallmouth in the two-to-three-pound range, a pile of perch for the pan, and a handful of bonus largemouths in sheltered marinas and bays. Perch schools have piled up thick near the Shelburne and Colchester reefs. Drop a small jigging spoon or minnow-tipped ice jig just off bottom—limits are realistic in under two hours.Champlain continues to reward those who move around. Hot spots today: Thompson’s Point flats for smallmouth and perch, and Kingsland Bay for mixed bags. Deep humps near Valcour Island are another sure bet if you have electronics to find the bait.Thanks for checking in with your Lake Champlain report. Don’t forget to subscribe for tomorrow’s update! This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Good morning, folks I'm Artificial Lure, your go-to guide for all things fishing around Lake Champlain. Today, October 21, the sun rises at about 6:55 AM and sets at 5:55 PM. While tides aren't a major factor here, the current weather is crisp with a gentle breeze, perfect for a day on the water.Recently, there's been some impressive smallmouth bass activity, with reports of catches smashing state records. The best lures for bass right now are soft plastics and crankbaits.For other species, try using live bait like minnows or worms. Notable catches include trout and walleye, especially in the deeper areas of the lake. The VT DEC has been working on reducing phosphorus pollution, which has helped improve fish populations.Hot spots include the Malletts Bay area and the Lake Champlain shoreline near Swanton. Be mindful of water quality notices, though, as some areas may still be affected by algae blooms.Thanks for tuning in Remember to subscribe for more fishing updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain, Vermont and New York fishing report for Monday, October 20th, 2025. Classic autumn air greeted anglers this morning along Champlain—mostly clear skies, a light south-southwest breeze, and air temps climbing out of the upper 40s into the upper 50s by mid-morning. Sunrise came just past 7:10 AM and sunset will be around 6:05 PM today, so if you’re planning an evening bite, keep that narrowing window in mind. Lake Champlain doesn’t get tides, but water is running a bit higher than average after last week’s rains. Water clarity is solid with shifting weed beds around the bays and some nice rocky drop-offs primed for action.Recent days have seen a flurry of activity, and fall patterns are in full swing. According to Advanced Bassin’ Plus, smallmouth bass are stacked tight to main lake points, rock piles, and deeper ledges. Anglers reporting from the Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York Daily Fishing Report say the action’s steady, with crews around Point Au Roche and the mouth of the Lamoille boating 30-plus smallmouth in a morning, most running 2 to 3 pounds with a handful up to the 4-pound range. Largemouth bites are scattered but quality’s high—weed beds near Sand Bar State Park, submerged cover in the southern lake, and the outside edges of docks have all given up bucketmouths edging past 5 pounds in recent outings. A notable catch to mention: last week, a 7.5-pounder was boated near St. Albans Bay on a white spinnerbait worked slow along the weed edge, a true Champlain trophy.Northern pike and walleye are showing up more for anglers trolling deep-diving crankbaits and harnesses in 20 to 35 feet, especially off the flats by Deep Bay and the mouths of deeper bays. Those chasing sturgeon and muskie haven’t fared quite as well, but big-fish folks grinding hard in the channels or around the bridges might still get lucky.Top lures right now: for smallmouth, the drop shot with 3" shad-hued plastics and brown pumpkin worms remains unbeatable on breezy days. Ned rigs and tube jigs worked along rocks add numbers and size, particularly on exposed main-lake structure. Largemouth are chomping green pumpkin jigs, black and blue creature baits, and chatterbaits pitched along grass edges. If you prefer moving baits, bladed jig patterns like Z-Man Chatterbait and white spinnerbaits, especially in the Inland Sea and St. Albans Bay, have scored chunky fish. Panfish are still biting, with bluegill and crappie plentiful in Missisquoi Bay and Bulwagga Bay—small jigs with worms are the ticket there.For live bait, local tackle shops strongly recommend medium shiners and nightcrawlers rigged on slip sinkers—especially near reeds and pilings for both bass species. If you’re chasing lake trout out deep, spoons or white/chartreuse tubes tipped with a hunk of cut bait have been catching.A couple of hot spots worth hitting today:- Main lake drop-offs west of Point Au Roche State Park and into Deep Bay for mixed bags of smallmouth, pike, and walleye.- Rocky ledges and breaks south of Juniper Island for big smallies, especially through mid-morning.- Sand Bar State Park and the mouth of Missisquoi Bay for shallow-water largemouth and piles of panfish.- The Burlington Ledges and between Westport and Cumberland Head if you’re targeting lake trout—look deep, 80 to 100 feet, trolling silver or green spoons.With the wind ticking up this afternoon out of the southwest, lean into the leeward shores and mouths of bays—baitfish pile up there, and the predators won’t be far behind. Layer up too, Champlain winds can have a bite this time of year!Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure’s Lake Champlain fishing report. Don’t forget to subscribe for more daily tips and local hot spots. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

This is Artificial Lure with today’s narrative fishing report for Lake Champlain, Vermont and New York, Sunday, October 19th, 2025.Conditions on the big lake are shaping up for classic autumn fishing. We’re waking to a balmy, crisp morning—mostly clear skies, light south/southwest winds, and comfortable air temps climbing from the high 40s into the upper 50s as the sun rises over the water. According to Zillow’s local property listings, sunrise on this side of the lake hit just after 7:10 AM and sunset tonight will be around 6:05 PM, so plan your trip with daylight in mind.Lake Champlain is a freshwater lake, so no tidal movement to report, but watch out for slightly elevated water levels thanks to last week’s rains. The clarity’s good after a few dry days, with shifting weed beds along the bays and rocky drop-offs setting the stage for an active bite.Turning to recent catches—reports from Advanced Bassin’ Plus just across the Canadian border confirm what Champlain anglers have been seeing all month: the smallmouth bass are reliably stacked up on the main lake points, rock piles, and deeper ledges. Fishers on local podcasts like Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York Daily Fishing Report have been getting into mixed bags: solid smallmouths, healthy largemouths pulled from the southern shallows near Sand Bar State Park and Missisquoi Bay, and a few bonus northern pike and walleye for patient trolling in deeper water.Numbers-wise, it’s been a respectable fall run. Groups fishing out from Point Au Roche State Park and near the mouth of the Lamoille River have reported mornings with 30+ smallmouth boated, plenty in the 2-3 pound class and a handful topping 4 pounds. Largemouths are less numerous, but the ones being caught are chunky, with a few over 5 pounds coming off grass beds and just beneath docks. Early bird sturgeon and muskie efforts up north have been slow, consistent with last week’s colder snap, but those willing to grind with heavy gear in the deeper channels might still strike gold.Best lures on deck right now: the drop shot with 3” shad-colored plastics or brown pumpkin worms is still king for the smallmouth, especially in windier conditions. Try Ned rigs on rocky bottoms and tube baits for that classic Champlain smallie action. For largemouth, green pumpkin jigs, chatterbaits, and black-blue soft plastics pitched along weed edges have been producing. If you’re trolling, deep-diving crankbaits and crawler harnesses are taking decent walleye and pike in 18–35 foot depths.Live bait is always a solid play—local shops are recommending medium shiners or nightcrawlers freelined or on slip sinker rigs for bass along reeds and near pilings.Local hot spots today:- The broad flats west of Point Au Roche State Park, especially off the drop into Deep Bay—good mix of smallmouth and pike, plus solid access if you want to troll for walleye.- The stretch off Juniper Island’s southern tip, targeting rock ledges and breaklines for bigger smallmouth.- The Sand Bar State Park area: largemouth action around submerged cover and plenty of panfish, with easy access for shore anglers and boaters alike.For those sneaking in an afternoon session, the wind looks to pick up slightly out of the southwest by midday—focus on leeward shores where bait fish pile up. Don’t forget to layer up, as lake winds can turn chilly!Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure’s Lake Champlain fishing report. Be sure to subscribe for daily updates, tips, and local insight. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Artificial Lure here, with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Saturday, October 18th, 2025.First light broke over the lake right at 7:14 AM, with sunset tonight coming around 6:09 PM. You’ll have about 11 hours of good daylight to wet a line. The sky is partly cloudy, with a few misty pockets lingering in the valleys and temps starting in the low 40s, warming to the upper 50s this afternoon – ideal for fall fishing. Winds are expected to stay calm out of the northwest, 5-8 mph. It’s been a dry stretch for our region, and Vermont Daily Chronicle notes water levels are lower than usual due to drought, so expect exposed shoreline and slightly tougher launches for larger boats.Lake Champlain isn’t a tidal lake, but those lower water levels will definitely nudge fish into deeper channels and along abrupt drop-offs. If you’re launching from the western edge around Plattsburgh, you’ll find good access and some protected coves, while New York’s Point Au Roche State Park offers plenty of natural shoreline and undeveloped habitat for casting from the bank.Recent catches have been mixed but encouraging. Bass anglers have been reporting a solid late fall bite, with smallmouth moving out to 15-25 feet and largemouth hanging near what weed edges remain. Local chatter plus this week’s Spreaker podcast recap mention “steady numbers” of smallies up to three pounds north of Valcour Island and scattered largemouth toward Missisquoi Bay. Walleye haven’t turned on strongly yet, but a few mid-October fish have come from the deeper holes near the ferry crossing and just outside the Cumberland Head area, mostly hitting jigs tipped with nightcrawler.Northern pike and pickerel are getting more active with cooling water. Several catches in the six to nine-pound range came from near the mouth of the Saranac River and the South Lake south of Crown Point, local Ticonderoga shops and Norm’s Bait & Tackle confirm. Perch and panfishing activity remains solid, especially in the protected shallows off Malletts Bay – folks are filling buckets with mixed yellows and a handful of slab crappie.Best lures for the conditions today: - For bass, downsize to **quarter-ounce football jigs**, **tube baits** in pumpkinseed or watermelon, and **drop shot rigs** with finesse worms. - For walleye, a **chartreuse jig head** with 3” paddletail or live bait (nightcrawlers especially) works best on the steeper ledges. - Pike and pickerel: **silver minnow spoons**, **white spinnerbaits** and **soft jerkbaits** mimic the late-season baitfish schools. - Perch and panfish: stick to **small hair jigs**, **Minnow-tipped ice spoons**, and classic bits of cut nightcrawler under a float.A couple hot spots to check out:- **Valcour Island’s east drop-off** for solid smallmouth action throughout the morning.- The **South Bay marshes and weedlines** for big pike and occasional largemouth in shallower pockets.Remember, launch early for the best chance before sun warms the shallows. Stay alert to changing wind, especially mid-afternoon.Thanks for tuning in – be sure to subscribe for tomorrow’s report and send in those bragging-rights photos. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Howdy, anglers. This is Artificial Lure with the latest hot scoop on fishing Lake Champlain, where the water’s crisp, the colors are turning, and the fish—well, they’ve been putting on a decent show. We’re just shy of peak foliage, but the action out here has had its moments.Sunrise today is a little after 7 a.m., and sunset’s just a tick past 6 p.m. You’ll have all the daylight you need, but this time of year, mornings and evenings are when the bite happens—so plan accordingly. Weather-wise, we’re looking at a clear, cool day—good jacket weather, but don’t let that fool you; the fish like this just fine. Water temps have dropped into the low 60s, and while Lake Champlain isn’t tidal enough for you to worry about those charts, the winds can stir things up, so keep an eye on wind direction for drift and presentation.Lately, the fish have been a mixed bag, but it’s always interesting on Champlain. Smallmouth bass are active, especially around rocky points and drop-offs. Largemouths are still holding in protected coves and near docks—anywhere with a little warmer water and some structure. Northern pike are always a good bet, and the colder mornings have them moving into shallower areas, though they’re not quite as aggressive as a few weeks back. Walleye are around, but you’ll want to work deeper edges and slow down your presentation. Salmon—and this is important—are getting set for the fall run, and Vermont Fish & Wildlife says some spots may see temporary closures for spawning efforts, so check regs before you go if you’re targeting trout or salmon.Now, what’s working? For smallmouth, finesse is the game. Drop-shots, Ned rigs, tubes in green pumpkin or bluegill colors—slow and low, folks. Chatterbaits and jerkbaits in shad patterns are drawing strikes when burned over flats and wind-swept points. For largemouths, jigs and soft plastics dragged along the bottom or flipped into the thick stuff are still getting bites. Northern pike? Bucktail spinners and large swimbaits are your best bet, especially early and late. As for live bait—shiners remain king for the picky eaters, and nightcrawlers will fool just about anything on the right day.Some hot spots to try: up north near Missisquoi Bay for a shot at both bass and pike; the mouth of the Winooski for late-season smallies and the occasional walleye; and around the islands near Grand Isle for a shot at everything—including those rogue salmon. Windy days? Head to any of the rocky points on the eastern shore—the fish stack up there when the breeze gets going.Chatting with local guides and listening to the chatter at the docks, lots of 2-4 pound bass have been caught, with a few five-plus smallies making the rounds. Northerns up to ten pounds have been landed, and a handful of walleye in the 22-26 inch range have shown up in the creel reports. Most catches are coming on artificials, but don’t be shy about tipping your jig with a piece of crawler—sometimes that’s the difference.Tight lines, be safe, and remember: every day on the water is a good day. Thanks for listening, Champlain faithful. If you found this report helpful, throw us a subscribe and tell a friend. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with today’s Lake Champlain fishing report for October 15th, 2025.We’ve got a classic, crisp mid-October setup on the lake. Local sunrise is 7:07 AM with sunset at 6:09 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to chase those fall trophies. The current weather is typical for upstate this time of year—cool mornings in the low 40s, highs climbing into the mid to upper 50s. Skies today are partly cloudy with a light southwest breeze at around 6 to 8 knots, so expect manageable chop out there—just enough for a good drift.Now, about the water: flows near Burlington remain steady and clear, water temps are dipping down into the upper 50s. Fall turnover is on in most bays and coves, which means baitfish like shad are on the move, and the predator bite is ramping up. Tidal influence is negligible on Champlain, but if you’re venturing down to the mouth of the Richelieu, note some minor fluctuations—otherwise, focus on those wind and weather patterns to strategize your outing.Let’s talk fish. The big bass story of the week comes from Saturday’s Vermont high school tournament, where White River Valley High boated five largemouth and a stud smallmouth for just over 21 pounds, with a kicker 4.52-pound lunker setting the tone. Smallies up to 4.92 pounds were also landed by other teams. Most of the top bags were a mix of largemouth and smallmouth, targeted in 10 to 15 feet around wood and rock with slow, deliberate presentations, notably big jigs dragged across sand and gravel.Word from the piers and ramps is that bronzebacks are schooling up off rocky points and humps, especially from Malletts Bay down to the islands, and the largemouth are cruising the deeper weed edges and wood—think Sand Bar State Park, North Hero bridge pilings, and the bays at St. Albans and Missisquoi. Anglers are reporting active pike and pickerel near weedlines, and a few folks trolling deep have hit decent lake trout and brown trout, particularly by the Split Rock area.As for what’s catching: The Megabass Super-Z Z3 crankbait is seeing solid action for both smallies and largemouth—especially in shad pattern, cashing in on the seasonal migration. Football jigs with green pumpkin skirts tipped with craw trailers are producing on transitions from sand to rock. FishLab’s Bio-Shad flutter spoons are also making waves when worked above bait schools, especially along deeper breaks where smallmouth are corralling shad.If you like to keep it classic, a lively emerald shiner or nightcrawler drifted on a dropshot rig will get bit, especially during the low-light windows and off deeper weed clumps. For pike and pickerel, big spoons and spinnerbaits burned along the outer weed edges have been reliable.Top hot spots this week: try the outer edge of Malletts Bay for mixed bag bass and pike action—work the 10–14 foot breaks with those crankbaits and jigs. The rock piles and points around The Gut and North Hero are lighting up for smallmouth—especially on windblown days. Missisquoi Bay is still holding largemouth near dying pads and wood, a good bet for a shallow bite. And for bank anglers, the causeway bridge areas have been giving up perch, crappie, and the occasional bonus walleye on live bait under floats.One side note: The local hatcheries, like Dwight D. Eisenhower in North Chittenden, are running skeleton crews due to the ongoing federal shutdown, so don’t expect much stocking until things open back up.That’s the scene today on Lake Champlain. Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure’s report. Remember to subscribe to keep up with the latest, and good luck on the water—those autumn giants are feeding. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Sun’s just starting to cast golden streaks across the misty expanse of Lake Champlain, and here’s Artificial Lure with a boots-on-the-dock fishing report for Sunday, October 12th, 2025.Let’s hook into the details, starting with the weather. This morning, the air’s crisp, but there’s not a breath of wind stirring—mirror-flat water right off the bat, perfect for the early rodders. The Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York Daily Fishing Report says the day will be mostly sunny with highs in the mid-60s, so dress in layers—you’ll want to shed a jacket once you get into the groove. Sunrise lit up the lake about 7:08 this morning, and we’ll see sunset fade around 6:13 tonight, giving us a solid day to play the water from dawn to dusk.Now, if you’re used to saltwater, you might be scanning for tidal action. Truth is, Lake Champlain’s a natural, freshwater jewel—no tides here, just wind and waves to set your rhythm. But that’s not a drawback; it’s what makes October fishing so reliable. The lake’s all about water temps, structure, and forage patterns now.Fish activity is living up to Champlain’s autumn reputation. We’re in the heart of the classic October bite. Topwater blitzes at daybreak are fading, but smallies and largemouth are still hammering reaction baits in the shallows. Deeper, the walleye and lake trout are staging off rocky points and humps. From late September to now, local guides and shore anglers alike have been landing good numbers of smallmouth bass, some tipping the scales at 3-4 pounds on a steady chew. The Daily Fishing Report also notes healthy pickups of largemouth, especially off the outside edges of weedlines. Pike are lurking, too, with a few solid catches in the last week, mostly hitting big, flashy spinnerbaits and jerkbaits ripped through cabbage beds.Heard a rumor the salmon are turning it on at the mouth of the Winooski, and a couple of die-hards nailed lake trout just north of Valcour Island fishing cowbells on the downrigger. Panfish, well, they’re playing second fiddle, but a slip bobber and a wax worm suspended over a deep weedbed can still pull up a mess of perch or crappie for the fryer.Best lures for the current vibe? For bass, it’s all about the drop shot with a wacky-rigged senko in natural greens and browns, or subtle swimbaits fished slow, ticking the rocks. Walleye slayers are scoring with deep-diving crankbaits in perch patterns, fished along the edges of those deeper shelfs, especially out from Bulwagga and Mallets Bay. Trout and salmon? Try running spoons off boards or long-line trolling, silver and chartreuse have been hot.Live bait? If you’re anchoring, nothing beats a big fat golden shiner for trophy bass, and crawlers fished on a slip-sinker rig are still putting walleye in the boat after dark. For the catch-and-release types, artificials are killing it—just match the hatch and keep your retrieves slow, especially as the water cools through the day.Let’s talk hotspots. For bass, head to the rocky banks just south of Crown Point—structure’s prime for smallies right now. If you’re after walleye, work the drop-offs around Appletree Shoal or the boulder fields south of Westport. Lake trout anglers, don’t miss the deep channel runs between Valcour and Keeler Bay. And for pike, the muddy flats around St. Albans Bay are holding some aggressive fish among the dying weeds.Remember, this is the season when the big fish go on the feed before winter sets in. Fish hard, fish smart, and always check your regs—limits and slot sizes are there for tomorrow’s fishing.Thanks for tuning in to your Lake Champlain fishing report. If you like what you’re hearing, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a bite. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for October 11, 2025.We’re waking up to a cool fall Saturday, with sunrise rolling in at 7:04 AM and sunset set for 6:13 PM. The weather forecast promises mostly sunny skies, brisk southwest winds around 15-20 mph, and high temps near 61°F—so throw on an extra layer and expect a little chop out there. Water levels across Vermont are low for this time of year, with flow in major rivers about 25% of normal, thanks to the dry spell we’ve been having. That said, Lake Champlain’s depth keeps things steady for the big bite.Let’s talk fish activity. The fall bite is on, and bass are on the feed. Last week’s Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series on Lake Champlain saw 158 anglers bring in impressive limits—37 limits over 90 inches, and two topping the 100-inch mark, by Bailey Eigbrett from New York and Nick Audi out of Pennsylvania, who finished first and second. While day two of that series got knocked out by weather, day one made it clear: there are plenty of big smallmouth and largemouth bass still hungry and aggressive.Local tales from the ramps have focused on bass, but don’t count out northern pike and lake trout, which are showing a little more activity with cooling temps. Salmon are still running in connected waters, especially in feeder rivers like the Saranac, drawing anglers looking for that fall ritual, as reported in the Adirondack Explorer.Now, what’s working best for lures and bait? Kayak anglers and local pros agree: jerkbaits, Ned rigs, and finesse swimbaits have been hot. Top performers in the tournament favored soft plastics in watermelon and green pumpkin on drop shots and Ned rigs. Don’t be afraid to throw a suspending jerkbait along rocky slopes or a white spinnerbait if the wind picks up. If you’re after smallmouths, focus on hard-bottom humps in 10-20 feet of water off Valcour Island or the Four Brothers, dragging a small paddle-tail or working a tube.For bait, shiners are the ticket if you want multi-species action—especially for pike or a bonus walleye at dusk. Local shops are keeping minnows in stock this weekend, anticipating the classic fall bite.A couple of hotspots to put on your GPS: - The Inland Sea’s Sandbar Bridge to north of Grand Isle is producing both size and numbers for smallmouth, with some bonus largemouth in the weed pockets. - The bays around Ticonderoga are firing for largemouth right now, especially early and late—work the edges of milfoil and scattered rock with a jig or chatterbait.No tidal report is available for the lake itself—Champlain isn’t tidal—but wind-driven current can play a role, especially in open sections, so keep an eye on wind direction while you set up.That’s it for today’s report. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for daily updates! This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Lake Champlain is putting on her classic October show—crisp air, low water, and the leaves just about at their fiery peak along the Vermont and New York shoreline. Today, October 10th, sunrise hit at 6:57 AM, with sunset on tap for 6:13 PM. Winds this morning are light out of the north-northeast around 5 to 7 knots, but should swing more northwest by midday, keeping wave heights down to a gentle 1 to 2 feet—prime conditions for boaters hugging the shoreline or prowling the bays. The National Weather Service is calling for mostly sunny skies and highs rising to the mid-60s by afternoon.We’re still deep in drought territory—Lake Champlain’s water levels remain at historic lows, which has meant anglers have to adjust: rocky points are more exposed, weed edges are tighter to deeper water, and shallow flats that typically hold late-season largemouth are much thinner than usual, so think deeper than you might expect for this time of year. Locals are reporting solid clarity despite the drought, and water temps are hovering in the upper 50s to low 60s depending on what bay you’re probing.Bass fishing is what Champlain’s known for, and this week’s been textbook fall: smallmouth are stacking up on deep rock piles from Split Rock south to the Four Brothers, with tube jigs and drop-shot rigs doing damage—especially in green pumpkin, smoke, or goby patterns. Folks working swimbaits and blade baits along the channel edges have been connecting with fish up to 4 pounds, and there’s a rumor of a 5-plus landed near Juniper Island just yesterday.Largemouth catches have slowed compared to September, but don’t rule them out—main lake bays like Missisquoi and South Bay are still producing on jigs tipped with craws, and frogs pitched to the remaining lilies at first light. The bite’s been best on slow, natural presentations. Champlain’s classic black and blue skirted jig is hard to beat this week, and chatterbaits in white are fooling both green and bronze backs when the chop picks up later in the day.For multispecies folks, walleye have started feeding more reliably at dusk, especially around the mouth of the Winooski and Otter Creek. Jigging with chartreuse or fire tiger paddletails right at twilight seems to produce best as these fish push shallower for prey. Northerns are lurking in deeper cabbage, and a well-chucked jerkbait will get you bit—don’t be shy to go big.There’s word from locals fishing the Vermont side that perch schools are thick near the ferry landings, and they’re responding to small spoons and fathead minnows under slip bobbers. Trout activity is limited now as the water cools, but an occasional steelhead shows at the mouths of tributaries—if we get rain soon, expect this to improve.Hot spots this week? The Inland Sea east of Savage Island is holding big smallmouth, and the area just outside Converse Bay is a classic October staging point where you can catch both species in the same drift. If you’re chasing walleye, give the weed edge drop-offs near Crown Point a pass just after sunset.Bait shops across the region are moving plenty of shiners and nightcrawlers, but the savvy stick to artificials now—hard plastics in shad or perch color, tubes, and Ned rigs have all been top sellers. The bluebird conditions and angler pressure mean a subtle approach pays off this week.That’s your Lake Champlain fishing update for October 10th, 2025. Grab that extra hoodie for the morning, keep an eye on the steady winds, and enjoy the lights show from both the fish and the foliage. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for your regular dose of local fishing intelligence.This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for October 8, 2025, coming to you bright and early before daybreak. Today’s sunrise in the Burlington-Plattsburgh stretch was at 6:56 AM, with a sunset coming up at 6:19 PM, so you’ve got a solid window for those golden hour bites.Weather’s the big talk this morning: after a streak of blustery days, we’re starting cool—mid-40s at dawn—and forecasted to warm to the upper 50s by afternoon. Winds are moderate out of the west at 8-12 mph, dying off after noon. No rain in sight, and the water’s holding steady in the low 60s. Overall, classic Champlain fall conditions and the fish are tuned in to the season.Lake Champlain isn’t tidal, but south winds combined with outflows on the north end can push a little current, especially around bridges and narrows. That’s when you want to target points and drop-offs adjacent to weedlines.The bite is solid this week with multiple sources—including Advanced Bassin’ Plus and recent YouTube fishing diaries—reporting feisty smallmouth action and pockets of largemouth on the Vermont and New York sides. Walleye catches picked up over rocky humps from Isle La Motte to the Inland Sea, and yellow perch are stacking up along the deeper ledges.Yesterday’s afternoon trip, as recounted by Advanced Bassin’ Plus, saw “bass after bass” coming boatside, with most fish taken on drop shot rigs and Ned rigs pitched to transition zones where weeds meet gravel. Most smallmouth are running 2 to 3 pounds, with several fish over 4 especially in slightly deeper water—think 15–25 feet. Largemouth are hugging what’s left of the pad beds and milfoil mats closer to shore, key in Missisquoi Bay and the Ti shoals.Lure selection is making the difference. The hottest ticket this week has been:- Drop shot finesse worms in green pumpkin or smoke with gold flake.- Ned rigs in brown or green pumpkin.- Football jigs with craw trailers for the deep humps, especially brown/orange.- For topwater, a bone-colored walking bait like a Zara Spook or Berkley Choppo is still drawing late-season blowups early and at dusk, particularly when there’s a ripple on the surface.Bassmaster’s Davy Hite confirms that keeping it simple on color—think shad, craw, pumpkin, and black/blue—works best. Confidence matters more than chasing fancy patterns.Hot spots? You can't go wrong working:- The Four Brothers Islands for mixed smallmouth and bonus pike.- Missisquoi Bay and pelagic flats north to Swanton for big largemouth and late-moving schools of perch.- The narrows around Colchester and the mouth of the Winooski for consistent smallmouth staging on rocks.Recent restrictions: Vermont Public mentioned a temporary closure around a key Lake Champlain salmon tributary to help with spawning. Double-check local signage, especially around river mouths—stick to the main lake and you’ll be good.Bait of choice: live shiners or medium golden shiners on slip bobbers are lights out for multi-species action. But for those chasing quality, plastics are king and drop shot is putting even pressured smallmouth in the net.Report any invasive catches and be mindful of bird migration as New England’s waterfowl are moving through—keep those navigation lights on at sunrise.Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake Champlain fishing update with Artificial Lure. Don’t forget to subscribe for daily reports and tips—there’s plenty more action to come as fall primes the lake. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Well, howdy, anglers—Artificial Lure here, coming at you live from the shores of Lake Champlain, where the fishing’s finer than a crisp Vermont maple leaf on a sunny autumn day. Let’s dive into your local fishing roundup for Sunday, October 5, 2025.## Weather & Water ConditionsFirst off, the weather’s in our favor today. After morning rain cleared out late last night, we’re looking at a mix of sun and wispy clouds—perfect for keeping both the fish and you comfortable. The water’s calm, still holding onto some summer clarity, but the air’s got that unmistakable Adirondack nip. According to FishingReminder, sunrise lit up the lake at 7:15 am, and we’ll see darkness roll in around 4:14 pm. That gives us a solid window to hit the water before the evening chill settles in. Moon’s a waxing crescent, but don’t put too much stock in moon phases this time of year—it’s all about the right spot and the right bait as we transition toward fall.## Tides, Timing, & TacticsLake Champlain, of course, isn’t tidal like the coast, but the old-timey bite times still matter. For today, FishingReminder pegs the major bite windows from 2:34 am–4:34 am and 2:48 pm–4:48 pm, with minor bites around 10:15 am–12:15 pm and 7:22 pm–9:22 pm. Whether you’re an early bird or a sunset chaser, these are the sweet spots to focus your casts. The best advice I ever got? “If you ain’t catchin’ at sunrise, move deeper.” As the sun climbs, so do the fish—slow-rolling swimbaits and Carolina-rigged craws along the drop-offs can turn a slow morning into a hot afternoon.## Recent Catches & What’s BitingLocal charters, especially from outfits like Irish Raider Outfitters out of Cumberland Head, have been slaying the smallmouth and largemouth bass all summer, and they’re not slowing down now. The Wood family, regulars with Captain Scott Thurber, landed more and bigger fish than ever on their recent trip. Kids have been out-fishing the adults, proving that sometimes fresh eyes and enthusiasm matter more than years on the water. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are going strong, too—double-digit lakers are getting hooked, and jigging is the ticket for numbers and size. Northern pike (Esox lucius) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) are putting up a good fight, especially on warmer afternoons. And don’t sleep on rainbow trout—they’ve been showing up in the catch photos, especially for those trolling early or late.## Hot Lures & BaitsLet’s talk gear. For smallmouth, topwater poppers and crankbaits at first light have worked magic all season. As the day warms, switch to soft plastics—Senkos, Ned rigs, and creature baits—dead-sticked near rocky structure. Largemouth? Try flipping and pitching jigs and creature baits into the slop and submerged timber. Lake trout? Vertical jigging with heavy metal, like KastKing Speed Demons and Kodiak Custom Jigs, gets you down to the depth where the big ones lurk. Northerns are hammering spinnerbaits and jerkbaits, while live bait—shiners, worms, and crawlers—never fails for mixed-species days. Remember, the water’s still holding plenty of baitfish, so match the hatch with silvery, shad-patterned lures.## Don’t Miss These Hot SpotsCumberland Head, NY, is a classic for both bass and trout. Work the rocky points and nearby drops—boats and kayaks both do well here. For lake trout, drift the depths off Maquam and St. Albans bays—plenty of double-digit lakers reported there this week. If you’re shorebound, King Bay and Catfish Bay are sneaky-good for smallmouth and pike, especially at sunrise and sunset. And, heads up: Hatchery Cove, a Grand Isle honey hole, is temporarily closed through November 30—so stick to the open water for now.## Local Color & NotesCaptain Scott Thurber says the best days are those when you’re catching memories, not just fish. Beginners, families, and old salts are all getting on the board. The boats are clean, the gear’s quality, and the folks are friendly—just what you’Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Good morning, Lake Champlain anglers! This is Artificial Lure with your Friday, October 4th fishing report.The autumn bite is absolutely heating up on Champlain right now. Yesterday's conditions brought some fantastic action for those willing to brave the cooler morning temps. Sunrise hit at 7:02 AM today, giving us plenty of daylight until sunset around 6:30 PM.**Current Conditions**Water levels remain critically low due to Vermont's ongoing extreme drought conditions. Exercise extreme caution when navigating familiar waters - Hogback and Colchester reefs near the Causeway are creating hazards for boaters. Several marinas report damage from folks hitting previously submerged rocks.**Fish Activity**The smallmouth bass bite has been outstanding this week. Local anglers are pulling nice smallies from 12 to 18 feet along rocky points and drop-offs. Walleye action picked up significantly as water temps dropped into the low 60s. Panfish schools are staging in deeper water, preparing for winter.**Hot Lures and Techniques**Crankbaits are absolutely crushing it right now - try the Rapala DT series in perch or bluegill patterns. Spinnerbaits with flashy blades are triggering aggressive strikes in windier conditions. As temps continue dropping, jerkbaits worked with sharp twitches and longer pauses are becoming deadly effective.**Prime Locations**Hit the deeper points off Mallets Bay for consistent walleye action. The rocky structure around Burton Island has been producing quality smallmouth. Don't overlook the creek channels - bass are following baitfish into these areas as they prepare for their fall feeding frenzy.**Pro Tip**Match your lure size to the baitfish you're seeing. Schools are smaller right now, so consider downsizing your presentation.Stay mobile out there - fall fishing is about covering water until you locate active schools. Once you find them, you might boat 10 to 20 fish quickly.Thanks for tuning in to the Lake Champlain Daily Fishing Report. Don't forget to subscribe for your daily fishing intel. This has been a Quiet Please production - for more check out quietplease.ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Wind is whistlin’ off the Adirondacks and the Champlain Valley’s cloaked in classic October chill. For those ready to brave the bite, there’s plenty to chase and a few tales to tell—let’s get into it, straight from the dock.## Weather & WaterIt’s another gusty morning on Lake Champlain, with west-southwest winds keepin’ the rollers white-capped and the drift lively—Anglers and guides have been talkin’ about how these fall blows can shift a trip from calm to chaos in a hurry, and today’s no exception. Expect the chop to complicate boat control, especially for deeper presentations, but on the upside, it’s pushing bait and active fish into predictable chutes. The thermometer’s runnin’ from crisp low-40s at first light to a sunny mid-60s by afternoon, so layer up and shed as it warms. Sunrise was at 6:57 AM and sunset’ll show at 6:16 PM—plenty of time to work the water, though the best bite’s been starting mid-morning as things warm.Lake Champlain’s tide? Nope, it’s all about the wind-driven currents here, so watch the drift and adjust your approach as the rollers change direction. If you’re out of the breeze, the water’s flat and slick, but offshore, it’s choppy—pick your comfort zone and fish accordingly.## Fish Reports & Recent CatchesSmallmouth bass are still king, and Champlain’s been generous to those willing to chase ‘em. Over the last week, guides and regulars have been finding smallies stacked on rocky points and drop-offs, with solid numbers coming on deepwater dropshot rigs. Folks are catchin’ plenty of quality fish, with 3- to 5-pounders common and the occasional giant—there was even talk of a 7-pound, 8-ounce largemouth busted outta Champlain recently, accordin’ to Compass Vermont. And while that’s a beast, it’s the smallies that are the stars right now—plenty of 2- to 4-pound smallmouths, with fish coming on a mix of jigs, Ned rigs, and deeper diving crankbaits, especially when the wind’s up.Walleye’s a tougher bite this week—lots of dinks and missed strikes, with only a rare keeper eye comin’ over the rail. This time of year, they’re starting to school tighter, so if you’re after eaters, keep circling those deep breaklines and don’t get discouraged by the slow pick. Pike are always around, and a few big northerns have found the net recently, especially on larger swimbaits and spinnerbaits fished slow over weed edges. If you’re after panfish, there’s a good bluegill bite in the bays and marinas, and some real slabs to be had off docks and downed timber.## Best Lures & BaitsIf you’re chasing smallies, the finesse bite is on—dropshot with a finesse worm (think green pumpkin or natural shad colors) is top dog. When the wind’s up, beef up your dropshot weight to stay in touch with the bottom, and keep your line tight. Jerkbaits are also producing, especially on windy points—try a KVD 300D in shad or bluegill for the bigger fish.For walleye, jigging minnows or slow-trolling crankbaits just off the bottom is the play, but you gotta work for ‘em. If you’re pike hunting, a big white or chartreuse spinnerbait or a Husky Jerk in silver gets those big gators to react. Bluegill? Small jigs tipped with waxworms or bits of worm, fished under a bobber.Live bait’s always an option—minnows for walleye and pike, worms for panfish—but the artificial game is strong right now, and you’ll cover more water with faster presentations.## Hot SpotsIf you’re launching from Vermont, try the rocky points off Isle La Motte and the broadlake humps out from St. Albans Bay—smallies stack here this time of year, and you can duck the worst of the wind by working the inside edges. On the New York side, the area around Willsboro Bay and Split Rock has been producing both smallmouth and the occasional walleye, especially on those deeper breaks. For panfish, the sheltered bays around Crown Point and Ticonderoga are just loaded with bluegill and perch—bring the kids and enjoy someGreat deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Hey there, fellow anglers. This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Champlain fishing report for October 1st, 2025.**Current Conditions**Sunrise hit us at 7:05 AM with sunset coming at 6:42 PM, giving us nearly 12 hours of fishable daylight. October's transition period is prime time for both smallmouth and largemouth bass as they're actively feeding before winter.**Recent Catches**The bass fishing has been absolutely phenomenal this season. Andrew Oestringer just pulled an unofficial record smallmouth weighing 7 pounds 6 ounces from Lower Symes Pond - that's a full 10 ounces heavier than our current state record. What's exciting is this monster came from a small pond while kayak fishing, proving you don't need fancy gear or big water for trophy fish.Lake Bomoseen also produced a 7-pound largemouth for Fair Haven student James Lenox, while Lake Champlain itself gave up a 7 pounds 8 ounces largemouth to Roy Gangloff. These are the only bass over 7 pounds recorded by Vermont Fish & Wildlife this year.**Hot Techniques**Dropshotting has been absolutely deadly, especially for smallmouth. The Damiki DC 300 crankbait is producing reaction strikes when burned fast for smallies. For fall transition, focus on jigs and buzzbaits as fish move to their autumn patterns.**Prime Locations**Lower Symes Pond is obviously holding trophy smallmouth. The main lake around the New York and Vermont border continues producing quality largemouth, especially near the deeper structure where those ancient coral reefs provide cover.**Pro Tips**Target both shallow and deep water - the cooler nights are pushing fish into different patterns. Early morning and late evening remain your best windows. Small inland ponds are being overlooked but clearly holding trophy fish.Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to subscribe for more reports. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Artificial Lure with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Sunday, September 28th, 2025. The crisp early fall air has returned, with sunrise at 6:46 AM and sunset coming up at 6:39 PM—plenty of daylight for a full slate of casts and catches.This morning, anglers hit the water just after a heavy dew, with overnight temps dropping to the low 40s and daytime highs expected in the mid-60s. Winds will be light and variable, settling out of the northwest at 5 to 10 mph. Cloud cover thickens around midday, then gives way to clear skies for the afternoon. According to the Lake Champlain Daily Fishing Report, these conditions line up for classic early fall patterns—expect fish to push shallow early, then slide off a bit as that sun gets higher and the surface warms up.Lake Champlain isn’t tidal, so tides don’t factor in today’s planning, but water levels are still a touch higher than average for late September thanks to earlier rains. Surface temperatures hover in the upper 60s to low 70s across much of the lake, setting up active feeding windows, particularly for bass and pike, as lake turnover hasn’t quite started yet.The bite this week has been strong, with reports rolling in from both sides of the border. Tournament news out of Plattsburgh shows big bags of smallmouth coming from main-lake points and rock piles, with anglers boating five-fish limits over 22 pounds—shout out to Bailey Eigbrett, who took home the win using a mix of Ned rigs and drop shots with green pumpkin plastics. On the Vermont side, largemouth bass are holding around milfoil beds south of the Champlain Bridge, and folks have pulled in several 5-pounders on weedless swimbaits and black-and-blue jigs. Northern pike remain aggressive, especially in Missisquoi Bay and the Inland Sea, where spoons and silver spinners are fooling plenty of 30-inch class fish.Multi-species action continues with perch schools thickening up near the mouth of the Otter Creek—live minnows and small jigs work well here. Walleye are being caught in the evenings along deeper edges near the Sand Bar, with jigging Rapalas and nightcrawler harnesses producing strikes right before sunset.Best lures right now include:- Ned rigs and drop shots (smallmouth on rock and gravel).- Black, blue, or green pumpkin jigs (largemouth in weeds).- Silver spinners and large spoons (pike, especially during low-light).- Lipless crankbaits and jerkbaits fished briskly along weedlines for both bass and pike.For bait, you can’t beat live shiners for perch and walleye, while soft plastics in natural baitfish colors are topping the charts for artificial presentations.A couple of hot spots for you to try:- The rocky humps southeast of Valcour Island: Big smallmouth are stacking here, especially around 10 to 15 feet deep.- The weed flats off Sandbar State Park: Both largemouth and pike have been hammering baits on the edges of thick grass.- Missisquoi Bay: Northern pike and perch both running strong, especially if you get out at first light.A small word of caution—if you boat a lake trout or landlocked salmon, check for sea lamprey scars. The invasive lamprey is still around but being managed, so please report any catches with new wounds to Vermont Fish & Wildlife.That wraps up Sunday’s on-the-water report for Lake Champlain, Vermont and New York sides. Thanks for tuning in to your local fishing update with Artificial Lure. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a bite. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Artificial Lure with your Lake Champlain local fishing report for Saturday, September 27th, 2025. Early fall’s crisp air, heavy morning dew, and mist rolling off the water greeted anglers before sunrise at 6:43 AM, with the sun setting tonight at 6:38 PM—making for prime fishing windows during those golden hours.Last night’s northwest wind cooled surface temps, ranging from the upper 60s on the main lake to low 70s in protected bays. With light rain, patchy fog, and clearing skies predicted by afternoon according to NBZ-FM, today’s conditions suit both shallow and deeper presentations. Expect gentle wind, air temps rising to 66°F, and foliage approaching full color in the Adirondacks—beautiful scenery for a day on the water.Champlain isn’t tidal, but water levels remain low as Emil Wagner noted during Bassmaster’s Elite Qualifier last weekend. Wagner’s winning haul broke records with over 69 pounds of bass, landing more than 25 over four pounds—a sign that smallmouth and largemouth activity is outstanding right now. Bass are feeding hard, pushing up onto rocky points and weed beds to gorge before winter. Local catch reports from Lake Champlain United’s forums say anglers are seeing plenty of 2-3 pound smallmouth at Valcour Island and Four Brothers, with largemouth tight to inside weed edges in Missisquoi Bay and South Bay.Lake Champlain boasts 80+ fish species. Recent catches include:- **Smallmouth Bass:** Most active off rocky points and deep breaks, morning and dusk. - **Largemouth Bass:** Holding tight to weed beds, fallen timber, and docks.- **Northern Pike and Pickerel:** Thriving around the edge of weed lines, striking aggressively on flashy baits.- **Yellow Perch, Crappie & Bluegill:** Schooling in sandy coves and harbors. - “Fall is when big catfish get bold,” says Fishy1’s report from Shore Fishing Corner—some Channel Cats nearing the 10-pound mark taken at dusk from Plattsburgh’s city dock.For lures and baits:- **Best artificial lures:** October’s “go-to” are crayfish-colored tubes, drop-shot finesse worms, and deep-diving jerkbaits for smallmouth; green pumpkin jigs and white spinnerbaits for largemouth.- **Top baits:** Live nightcrawlers and shiners excel for panfish and bass, with cutbait drawing in big cats and channel cats. - Emil Wagner favored Berkley Powerbait Power Vibes and Money Badgers, especially along mid-lake humps off Juniper Island.Hot spots to try this weekend:- **Valcour Island:** For smallmouth on rocky shelves and drop-offs. - **Missisquoi Bay:** Shallow largemouth around weed beds and timber near the wildlife refuge. - **Four Brothers Islands:** Mixed species, with perch and bass stacked on ledges.- **Shelburne Bay:** Pike and pickerel hunting baitfish—try spinnerbaits along weed edges.Folks fishing the Inland Sea should avoid crowded pressure points and instead scout secondary structure and lightly pressured pockets—a tip straight from this week’s pro circuit.To all anglers, keep safety top of mind with cool nights and fog—recent rescue activity around the lake highlights the need for good lights and flotation. If you’re heading to Plattsburgh, today is also a free fishing day in New York, meaning no license required—perfect for bringing new folks out.That wraps it for today’s bite report. Thanks for tuning in, tight lines to all, and don’t forget to subscribe for daily updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Champlain angling report for Friday, September 26, 2025. It’s a crisp start up here, the thermometer on the dock in South Hero reading around 53°F this morning, and folks on both the Vermont and New York sides are breaking out the flannels. Wind’s out of the north-northwest at 10 to 15 knots, making for a little chop on open water, especially north of the islands and near the broad lake. Sunrise hit at 6:42 AM and we’ll see sunset tonight at 6:44 PM, giving us almost exactly twelve hours of daylight—a classic early fall day on Champlain.No tides to report, being a freshwater lake, but water levels are steady and clarity is pretty good, thanks to a run of dry weather. That weather has made it easier for boaters to locate healthy grass beds, but sometimes a little tougher to pin down bass once you find those beds, as reported by On The Water.Fish activity is solid and picking up pace, with both largemouth and smallmouth bass starting to stack up ahead of the fall transition. The recent Bassmaster Elite Qualifier out of Plattsburgh saw jaw-dropping numbers—Emil Wagner bagged fifteen bass over three days totaling 69 lb, 2 oz, the heaviest winning sack in Champlain’s B.A.S.S. history. The winning pattern was smallmouth pulled from dropoffs and suspended over deep water near sandy flats. The northeastern wind this week has moved bait around, sending bass on the hunt. Folks have been finding smallmouth on the edges of the Inland Sea and near the deeper gravel bars off the New York shore, often relating to the sharp breaks and isolated rock piles. Largemouth are still tight to thicker weed beds in shallower bays.Top lures this week have been dark tube jigs and drop shot rigs in natural goby or shad patterns for smallmouth, as well as jerkbaits and swimbaits—think 3- to 4-inch paddletails in green pumpkin or smoke. Largemouth are hitting chatterbaits, texas-rigged creature baits, and wacky-rigged worms pitched into the milfoil pockets. If you want to keep it old school or have kids on board, live shiners or nightcrawlers under a slip bobber are accounting for plenty of rock bass and the occasional jumbo perch.For quantity, it’s been mostly smallmouth in that 2–4 lb range, with some real footballs over five pounds showing up north of the Sandbar Causeway and off Valcour Island. Largemouth are a bit harder to come by in bulk, but 3 to 4 pounders have been reported coming out of Missisquoi Bay. The inland ponds feeding into the lake—such as Carry Bay and the mouths of the Lamoille and Ausable rivers—are hot for crappie and fall-run yellow perch.Couple hot spots to mention: the drop-offs around the Gut and the east shore of North Hero are producing mixed bags. The humps off Valcour, particularly the rocky shoals south of Bluff Point, have been reliable for quality smallmouth, mainly on windy days when bait is blowing up against the structure. If you’re after largemouth, the bays around Ticonderoga and Missisquoi are still putting out fish, especially along the inside weed edges.Remember that the aquatic vegetation is a little sparse this fall due to drought, so look for isolated clumps rather than wide beds. Zebra mussels and the occasional algae mat are still around, so check your lines regularly for fouling.Thanks for tuning in to this Lake Champlain fishing report. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss the latest local action and tips. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Taking in the early fall air this Wednesday, September 24, 2025, on Lake Champlain, you can see why folks consider it the gem of the North Country. The shoreline from North Hero to Ticonderoga is starting to put on a color show, with reds and golds spilling down the ridges and over the water. The lake is calm this morning, and after days of dry weather, water clarity is excellent, making for some prime fishing conditions. Sunrise hit at 6:39 am and we’re looking at sunset around 6:45 pm. With a crisp high near 68°F, light northwest wind, and little rain expected all day, we’re dialed in for a classic Champlain fall bite.You won’t have to worry about tides, but keep an eye on the barometric pressure—high and steady today, which bodes well for active fish. Bassmasters.com and recent tournament news coming out of Plattsburgh show the smallmouth are already moving up and feeding hard. Emil Wagner just set a Bassmaster EQ record here last week with a 69-pound, 2-ounce bag, almost all smallies, and local word is that a solid mix of 3- to 5-pounders have been caught all along the north basin and in mid-lake shoals.Largemouth are still holding in the grass, but with water temps dropping, they’re blitzing the shallow bays for bait. Reports from the Ticonderoga and South Hero area suggest slow-rolling a white chatterbait or flipping black-and-blue jigs straight into the edges of milfoil and cabbage. Lake Champlain regulars will tell you, don’t neglect the docks—especially as bluegill schools bunch up.For those hungry smallmouth this week, burning a crankbait—especially a shad-patterned or chartreuse 1.5 squarebill—along rocky points and wind-blown flats has been killer, as seen on YouTube’s “Top 5 Baits For Fall Bass Fishing!” The go-to presentation is a fast retrieve with the occasional pause, triggering reaction bites. If bass get finicky midday, a drop shot with a 3-inch goby imitation or a Ned rig fished along rocky transitions is still deadly.Northern pike remain active near shallow weed beds and creek mouths—good news for those throwing bright spinnerbaits or big swimbaits. And the ever-elusive landlocked salmon are showing on the Vermont side north of Charlotte, chasing smelt schools; locals suggest trolling small silver spoons 15–25 feet down off the drop-offs.Crappies and perch are biting, too. Target them with small jigs or minnows under bobbers in protected bays—Mallets Bay and the flats near North Hero have both given up mixed bags this week.For hotspots, the north end near Isle La Motte and Hibbard Bay is always a contender—those boulders hold big smallmouth this time of year. Down south, the Ticonderoga stretch, especially Wilson Bay, is drawing attention for its early fall largemouth. Both spots have public access and room to roam.If you’re bank fishing, look to Grand Isle State Park or the public docks in Plattsburgh—bluegill and perch are in easy reach, and you just might stumble on a walleye bite right before sunset.Don’t forget: best baits right now are crankbaits for smallies, chatterbaits or jigs for largemouth, bright spinners for pike, and minnows for panfish. With daytime warming, get on the water between 9 am and 4 pm for peak action.Thanks for tuning into this Lake Champlain fishing report. Be sure to subscribe and stay updated—good luck out there, and we’ll see you on the lake. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI