Fishing Forecast for Lake Champlain: Trout, Bass, Crappie, and More Await Anglers This Spring

Today's fishing conditions around Lake Champlain, straddling Vermont and New York, are promising as spring continues to awaken aquatic activity. The sunrise was at 6:13 AM, with sunset expected at 7:29 PM, providing ample daylight for anglers. Tides today brought a high tide at 9:18 AM and will bring another at 9:30 PM, while low tides occurred at 5:37 AM and will return at 5:39 PM. These fluctuations create dynamic fishing opportunities in the lake's shallows and structures.

The weather is mild, but anglers should note a wind advisory in effect, with gusts potentially reaching 50 mph, making sheltered bays and areas leeward to the wind more inviting options. Despite the wind, the water temperature remains cool—a bonus for targeting species like lake trout and salmon, which favor these conditions.

Recent catches highlight the diversity of Lake Champlain's fish stock. Lake trout are especially active, with anglers having success jigging in 80-100 feet of water in the central lake, between Westport and Cumberland Head. The northern sections near Missisquoi Bay have also yielded healthy largemouth bass amidst the grass-filled shallows, while smallmouth bass are actively feeding around rocky points near Rouses Point and Point Au Fer. Yellow perch populations remain abundant, with catches averaging 8-10 inches.

Crappies are beginning their spring move into warmer shallows such as South Bay and Bulwagga Bay, making minnows and small jigs on light tackle your best bet for success. Northern pike are patrolling weedy areas near Shelburne Bay and the Inland Sea, with spinnerbaits and jerkbaits proving effective.

For lures, local anglers report excellent results using soft plastics in natural hues for bass, as well as silver spoons and crankbaits for trout and salmon. Live bait options such as minnows and nightcrawlers also continue to produce consistently across various species.

Hotspots worth exploring include:

1. Missisquoi Bay: Ideal for largemouth bass and pike, with its mixture of shallow grass and rocky flats.
2. Bulwagga Bay: A crappie haven in early spring, along with substantial perch activity.
3. Rouses Point to Isle La Motte: One of the best areas for smallmouth bass, with rocky contours concentrating fish.

Today offers both variety and challenge on the waters of Lake Champlain. Whether casting from shore, jigging deep, or trolling open water, the possibilities for a successful day on the lake are plentiful. Stay safe, keep an eye on that wind, and tight lines!