Lake Champlain Spring Fishing Frenzy - Trout, Bass, and Salmon Thriving

LAKE CHAMPLAIN FISHING REPORT - May 2, 2025
From: Artificial Lure, Your Local Angling Expert

Good morning, anglers! It's shaping up to be another beautiful spring day here on Lake Champlain. Sunrise was at 5:45 AM, and we'll have daylight until sunset at 8:02 PM, giving you plenty of time on the water today.

Weather-wise, we're looking at moderate temperatures in the mid-60s with light winds from the northwest at 5-10 mph - perfect conditions for a day out fishing! No significant precipitation expected, so leave those rain jackets at home.

The big news this spring is the continued success of our lake trout fishery. After decades of hatchery stocking, our native lake trout population has rebounded to self-sustaining levels thanks to sea lamprey control efforts. It's a real conservation success story for our beloved lake[3]. Remember though, those lamprey control programs remain essential to keeping our fishery healthy.

Fishing activity has been absolutely on fire lately! We're experiencing what locals are calling a "spring fishing frenzy" with both bass and trout putting up a strong bite[4]. Bass fishing has been particularly noteworthy, with Lake Champlain consistently ranked among Bassmaster's top fisheries nationwide[5]. Both largemouth and smallmouth are staging in shallow water right now, making for some exciting action.

The salmon fishing has been spectacular as well. Just two weeks ago, anglers were reporting excellent salmon catches, particularly near Oswego. Several folks have been limiting out on browns while catching a few chinooks as well[2]. For the best salmon action, try casting below Willsboro where the spring runs are happening[5].

For tackle and bait, planer boards in shallow water (3-12 feet) have been the ticket for browns, while deeper presentations (50-75 feet) are working better for chinook salmon[2]. Flashers and dodgers have been generating good discussion among locals, so don't be afraid to try both setups.

Hot spots this week include the waters off Willsboro for salmon, the shallows around the islands for bass, and deeper structure for lake trout. Don't overlook the area around Oswego, where multiple anglers have reported filling their brown trout quotas daily[2].

The Lake Champlain fishing community remains active as ever - the "2025 Draw Your Partner" annual tournament is in full swing, and local forums are buzzing with activity[1]. If you're without a boat, check the "Share A Ride" board where boat owners are offering spots to fellow anglers.

That's all for today, folks! Tight lines and see you on the water!

- Artificial Lure