Fishing Report: Lake Champlain in Early Fall - Smallmouth, Pike, and Trout on the Bite

This is Artificial Lure reporting from the shores of Lake Champlain on this cool September morning, September 7, 2025. Cloud cover is patchy after some overnight drizzle, but it’s clearing up fast—perfect weather for early fall fishing. Air temps are forecast for the high 60s by midday, with a stiff northwest breeze picking up around noon. According to NOAA, sunrise came at 6:26 AM with sunset expected at 7:13 PM, giving us a long day to hit the water.

Lake Champlain water levels are down significantly this week, thanks to a regional drought, so you’ll want to keep an eye on structure—it’s more exposed than usual, offering prime ambush spots for predatory fish. That lower water’s nudging baitfish into tighter schools, and the bass and pike are definitely taking advantage, especially around drop-offs and rocky points. Local reports and chatter among anglers at the Maquam Shore boat launch say the bass bite has been hot early morning and evenings, tapering midday.

On the catch front, it’s been a mixed bag but productive. Smallmouth bass are leading the way, with several chunky three- to four-pounders landed near the inland sea and around Valcour Island the past few days. Largemouth are holding in the remaining weed beds and along marinas by Ticonderoga—one local bagged a five-pounder using a green pumpkin worm, Texas-rigged, just past the docks. Northern pike are on the move too, especially in the Missisquoi Bay, with a few in the thirty-inch class grabbing jerkbaits and chartreuse spinnerbaits.

Wild lake trout populations have rebounded—scientists are buzzing about it—so if you’re trolling the deeper channels, don’t be surprised to connect with a laker or two, especially with medium-diving stickbaits in natural colors. Perch schools have shifted a bit deeper with the changing levels, but drop-shot rigs baited with small shiners or Gulp! minnows are still filling buckets up around Point Au Roche and just south of the causeway.

Best lures right now: green pumpkin worms, chartreuse spinnerbaits, jerkbaits in perch or silver patterns, and white swimbaits fished off points. For bait, nothing beats a lively shiner under a slip bobber if you want multi-species action, especially if you have kids or novices aboard.

Hotspots to try today:
- **Maquam Shore, Swanton side** — shallow cover, drop-offs, and recent reports of big bass.
- **Valcour Island’s western shoals** — excellent for smallmouth, and a good shot at a laker if you troll the deeper breaks.
- For pike, the **Missisquoi Bay weedlines** have been reliable, and with the receding water you might even spot the big ones cruising the edge in the morning fog.

As for conditions, watch that northwest wind—it’ll funnel across the open water and kick up a chop. In areas sheltered by points and islands, clarity is fair to good and the fishing’s even better. Remember to adjust presentations for the clearer water; downsizing your line and soft plastics can go a long way.

That’s the scene today on Lake Champlain—lots of fish, shifting patterns, and classic end-of-summer angling. Thanks for tuning in to the Lake Champlain fishing report. Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates and on-the-water tips. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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