Artificial Lure here with your Friday, October 24th Lake Champlain fishing report—coming at you from the heart of Vermont and New York’s border waters, right as the sun pokes up at 7:18 this morning and ready to duck behind the Adirondacks by 5:54 this evening.

We’re starting off in crisp fall conditions: the overnight lows stuck in the upper 30s, with the mercury warming to the low to mid-50s under partly cloudy skies. Winds are light from the north-northwest, barely ruffling the bays. No tidal action here, but if you’re planning a full day, expect steady lake levels—though that “steady” is below normal thanks to the extended dry spell.

The drought is still biting, with lake levels down and coves drawing back from their usual marks. According to the “Late October Chasers” episode, that means the fish crowd’s packed tighter and the weeds are peeling back[3]. Water clarity’s exceptional, but some ramps are a touch trickier than normal.

Fish activity has been strong for late October! Smallmouth bass are the headline, especially as water temps tick into the high 40s. Smallies are cruising rock points and mid-lake humps from 10 to 18 feet in the mornings, then sliding deeper as the sun strengthens[4]. The bite’s best early and again mid-afternoon—when that cold north wind lays down a bit.

Northern pike are still on a tear in the shallower, grassy flats where any green weeds remain. Yellow perch are stacking up in the drop-offs around deeper weed edges, often biting furious just before dusk. Walleye have been a little scattered but are most active on rocky breaks at twilight and after dark.

Talk on the docks and from the latest podcasts—like Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York Daily Fishing Report—has been all about finesse baits and moving baits. The most productive lures for smallmouth this week include:

- Ned rigs and tube jigs in green pumpkin and subtle crayfish tones.
- Small blade baits and jigging spoons like the Silver Buddy once the sun’s high.
- On overcast days or mornings, a bone-colored or shad-pattern topwater can produce explosive hits in surprising shallows[4].

Anglers after pike are throwing bright spinnerbaits and white chatterbaits off the remaining weed edges. For yellow perch, classic live minnows and small chartreuse jigs are putting plenty in the bucket.

Recent catches are showing strong numbers: Several crews reported landing two- and three-pound smallmouth with some fours in the mix near Valcour Island and the Inland Sea. Pike up to 34 inches came from the Missisquoi Bay and St. Albans shallows, while perch buckets are filling fast around the mouth of Otter Creek[3][4].

If you’re looking for hot spots, head to:

- The rocky points around Valcour Island—always a fall magnet for hungry smallmouth.
- The weed humps in Missisquoi Bay—perfect for pike, and you might tangle with a bonus bowfin.

A quick local’s tip: With the lake so clear, lighten up your leader and use natural tones. The fish can get spooky in these conditions, so stealth pays off. And definitely don’t overlook the mid-lake humps, especially mid-day when boat traffic is light.

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