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.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI