Late May Fishing Report for Lake Champlain Anglers

Good morning, Lake Champlain anglers! Artificial Lure here with your fishing report for Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The sun rose at 5:13 AM today and will set at 8:29 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to work those lines.

Weather-wise, we're looking at another gorgeous late May day with temperatures expected to reach the upper 60s by midday. We've got a gentle easterly breeze this morning that'll keep the water surface just rippled enough to hide your approach from those keen-eyed fish.

The smallmouth bite continues to be red hot since last week's report. These bronzebacks have fully committed to the spawn in many areas, aggressively guarding nests. The rocky points and drop-offs around the Burlington islands remain consistent producers, with anglers reporting 30-40 smallies per outing. Ned rigs and jerkbaits worked slowly in 8-15 feet of water are still your ticket to success. Try Grand Isle's western shore if you're looking for trophy-sized fish.

Largemouth action is holding strong in the southern sections, especially around Ticonderoga. That monster catch from two weeks ago still has the locals buzzing! For best results, throw spinnerbaits and soft plastics in watermelon or green pumpkin colors. The shallow bays with emerging weed growth are prime territory right now.

Lake trout fishing has been phenomenal, with native fish showing up in good numbers. Last couple weeks have seen boats landing 30+ lakers in short morning trips. The deeper drop-offs near Split Rock are producing consistently, with soft plastics proving effective.

For you salmon seekers, reports indicate improved action compared to early May. The deeper waters north of the Burlington harbor have been yielding nice catches for those willing to put in the time.

As for hotspots, I'd recommend two areas today: First, the rocky structures around Valcour Island are absolutely loaded with smallmouth right now. Second, check out Mallets Bay for a mixed bag of largemouth and pike that have been feeding aggressively in the warming shallows.

Baitfish are abundant along the shorelines, so matching the hatch with silver and white lures has been effective. For live bait enthusiasts, nightcrawlers and leeches are working well for multiple species.

Remember folks, the water's still a bit chilly, so dress accordingly and always wear your life jacket. This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines and big smiles until next time!