Smallmouth Blowup, Trophy Largemouth, and Deep Basin Lakers: Your Lake Champlain Fishing Report

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Sunday, June 15, 2025. We’re rolling into classic early summer action with sunrise at 5:13 AM and sunset at 8:17 PM. The weather’s treating us right: expect temps in the upper 60s to low 70s, light southern winds around 5-10 mph, and a mix of sun and clouds—perfect conditions to get out on the water. No tidal swings to worry about; this is pure inland lake fishing at its best.

Bass are the real headline makers this week. Smallmouth fishing is absolutely on fire from the central lake northward. Recent creel surveys and local chatter confirm limits of 3 to 4-pound smallies pulled from rocky points, gravel flats, and the familiar haunts along Valcour Island and Willsboro Bay. Some anglers even weighed handfuls of bronzebacks over 5 pounds—serious business for June. Tube jigs in green pumpkin are the go-to, while drop shotting a 4-inch finesse worm is a must-try for picky fish. If you’re chasing that roaming midday bite, throw the PXR Mavrik 110 Jerkbait in metallic yellow perch for great results.

Largemouth bass are heating up in the southern bays and weed beds—think Shelburne Bay and the edges near St. Albans. Topwater is starting to shine in the early mornings and late evenings, especially with frogs and poppers. For working the weed lines, Texas-rigged soft plastics or a reliable white spinnerbait have been putting bucketmouths up to 7 pounds in the boat. According to recent reports, a monster largemouth was landed near St. Albans Bay using a spinnerbait rolled right along the emergent vegetation.

The deep bite for lake trout keeps rolling, especially from Westport to Cumberland Head and off the Burlington ledges. Look to 80-100 feet for the most consistent action—troll spoons just off the bottom where the lakers are chasing smelt. Quality electronics are a game-changer here, letting you key in on those deeper reefs. On the salmon side, downriggers set between 40 and 60 feet from Split Rock to Shelburne Point are producing hits on green/silver flashers and Michigan Stinger spoons.

For panfish fans, Bulwagga Bay and Missisquoi Bay are loaded up with crappies and bluegills. A simple small jig tipped with worm or soft plastic does the trick in the shallows.

Hot spots you shouldn’t miss this week:
- Valcour Island and Willsboro Bay for red-hot smallmouth action.
- The deep basin off Burlington for consistent lake trout bites.
- Shelburne Bay for early topwater largemouth.

Stay safe, tight lines out there, and thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe for your daily dose of Lake Champlain updates.

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