Fishing Lake Champlain in the Winter: Tides, Trout, and Bass Hotspots

As of today, January 5, 2025, the fishing scene on Lake Champlain is quite inviting despite the chilly winter conditions. Here’s what you need to know from a local’s perspective.

### Tidal Report
While Lake Champlain is a freshwater lake and doesn't have significant tidal changes, it's worth noting the water levels. Today, the high tide is at 1:51 AM with a height of 1.57 meters (5.15 ft), followed by a low tide at 10:50 AM with a height of 0.88 meters (2.88 ft). The next high tide will be at 2:20 PM with a height of 1.4 meters (4.58 ft), and the final low tide of the day will be at 10:46 PM with a height of 0.84 meters (2.76 ft)[2].

### Weather and Daylight
The weather is chilly, with temperatures hovering around the mid-20s to low 30s Fahrenheit. Expect partly cloudy skies with a moderate wind, making the water surface a bit choppy but manageable for ice-free areas. Sunrise today is at 7:32 AM, and sunset will be at about 4:17 PM.

### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw some good activity, particularly for smallmouth and largemouth bass. Anglers reported catching several bass in the 2-4 pound range, especially around the Shelburne Bay and Town Farm Bay areas. Lake trout were also active, with some catches reported in the deeper sections of the lake, particularly between Westport and Cumberland Head[4].

### Best Lures and Bait
For bass, using jigs with curly tail trailers or crankbaits that mimic the appearance of rainbow smelt has been effective. For lake trout, jigging or trolling with spoons and deep-diving lures over 100 feet below the surface has yielded good results. Live bait such as minnows and shiners can also be very effective for both bass and trout.

### Hot Spots
- **Shelburne Bay**: This area just south of Burlington is a prime spot for largemouth bass. The bay's structure with submerged logs and weed beds makes it an ideal haunt for bass.
- **Town Farm Bay and Otter Creek**: These areas are known for their wide-mouth bass haunts and offer a mix of shallow and deeper waters that attract a variety of fish species[4].

Overall, Lake Champlain is offering some great fishing opportunities despite the winter conditions. Make sure to bundle up and check the local weather forecast, especially the wind, as it can significantly impact your fishing experience.