"Conquer the Chills: Fishing the Icy Waters of Lake Champlain"

If you're planning to hit Lake Champlain today, January 4, 2025, here's what you need to know. First, let's look at the tides. Today, you can expect a high tide at 1:02 AM with a height of 1.65 meters (5.41 feet), followed by a low tide at 10:09 AM with a height of 0.91 meters (2.99 feet). The next high tide will be at 1:30 PM reaching 1.41 meters (4.63 feet), and the final low tide of the day will be at 9:51 PM with a height of 0.88 meters (2.89 feet)[2].

Weather conditions are crucial this time of year, and it's generally quite cold in early January. Make sure to bundle up as temperatures can be quite chilly. Sunrise today is at 7:32 AM, and sunset will be at 4:16 PM, giving you a decent window for fishing[2].

Lake Champlain is known for its diverse fish population, and in the winter, cold-water species like lake trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon are more active. Yesterday's catches likely included some lake trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon, along with some hardy bass. For lake trout, try using spoons or jigs tipped with bait like minnows or smelt. For landlocked Atlantic salmon, lead-core lines with streamers or spoons can be effective[1][3].

While bass fishing is more popular in warmer months, you can still catch some largemouth and smallmouth bass in the deeper areas of the lake. Use jigs, crankbaits, or soft plastics to lure them in[1][3].

For hot spots, consider the weedy bays and submerged structures around Shelburne Shipyard and Larrabees Point Access Area. These areas attract a wide range of prey and predators, making them ideal for catching multiple species[1][3].

Dress warm, check your gear, and head out to these known hot spots. With the right lures and bait, you should have a productive day on Lake Champlain. The serene and peaceful winter landscape, combined with the potential for spectacular catches, makes winter fishing on Lake Champlain a unique and rewarding experience[4].