Catch Trophy Trout & Salmon on Chilly Lake Champlain - Insider Winter Fishing Tips

Today, December 26, 2024, Lake Champlain is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the chilly winter weather. Here’s what you need to know:

### Tidal and Weather Conditions
The tide times for today are as follows: low tide at 3:43 AM with a height of 0.85 meters, high tide at 8:04 AM with a height of 1.08 meters, low tide at 2:40 PM with a height of 0.84 meters, and high tide at 7:36 PM with a height of 1.23 meters. Sunrise is at 7:32 AM, and sunset is at 4:08 PM. The weather is cold, typical of late December, but this is ideal for winter fishing.

### Fish Activity
Winter fishing on Lake Champlain is known for its spectacular action, especially for salmon and trout. As the water gets colder, the fishing improves, with 42°F being a magic number for active fish. Yesterday, anglers reported good catches of landlocked Atlantic salmon and brown trout.

### Types and Amounts of Fish
The fish have been active, particularly in the deeper sections of the lake. Lake trout are often caught by jigging or trolling over 100 feet below the surface. Salmon have been hitting well in the early morning and late evenings. Anglers have reported catching several salmon over 7 pounds and brown trout as well.

### Best Lures and Bait
For salmon and trout, using dark color spoons such as blue, purple, and green stingers, as well as Honeybees, has been effective. Trolling speeds between 1.8 and 2.5 mph are recommended. For lake trout, jigging over deep structure with lures that mimic their main forage, such as rainbow smelt, is highly effective.

### Hot Spots
One of the best spots for lake trout is the middle section of the main lake, from roughly Westport to Cumberland Head. This area offers a lot of excellent deep structure. For salmon, the central basin of the lake, where it is its widest and deepest, has been producing good results. Shelburne Bay and Town Farm Bay are also good spots for largemouth bass, though they may be less active in the cold weather.

### Additional Tips
To navigate and fish safely on Lake Champlain during winter, it’s essential to have good quality electronics to mark bait and identify high-percentage zones. Larger boats with deep hulls and enclosed cabins are recommended to handle the rough conditions. Propane space heaters can make the experience more comfortable.

If you’re up for the challenge, today is a great day to join the Frostbite Fleet and experience some of the hottest winter fishing action on Lake Champlain.