Winter Fishing Opportunities on Lake Champlain: Tides, Fish Activity, and Top Spots

Today, January 23, 2025, Lake Champlain is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the winter conditions. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your day on the water.

### Tidal Report and Weather
As of today, the tidal conditions are as follows: Low tide was at 00:47 AM with a height of 2.53 feet, high tide at 5:09 AM with 3.15 feet, low tide again at 12:29 PM with 2.26 feet, and the next high tide will be at 5:40 PM with 3.54 feet. Sunrise is at 7:22 AM, and sunset will be at 4:40 PM. The moonrise is early at 2:18 AM, and moonset is at 11:12 AM.

### Fish Activity
Anglers reported a good day yesterday, catching a variety of species including smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, and panfish like bluegill and crappie. The fish are active, particularly in the shallower areas and around structural elements like rocks and reefs.

### Best Lures and Bait
For smallmouth bass, using jigs with curly tail trailers or crankbaits that mimic baitfish can be very effective. Northern pike are often caught with spoons and spinnerbaits. Walleye can be targeted with jigging lures tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers. For panfish, small jigs with live bait like worms or crickets work well.

### Hot Spots
One of the best areas to fish is the Inland Sea, located in the northern part of the lake. This area is known for its shallow waters, big flats of grass, and rock structures, making it ideal for catching both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Mallets Bay, nestled at the south end of the islands, is another great spot with its unique bluffs and cliffs dropping into deep water.

For lake trout, the middle section of the main lake, roughly from Westport to Cumberland Head, is the heart of the fishery. Here, you’ll need to fish deep, often over 100 feet below the surface, using jigging or trolling techniques.

If you’re after yellow perch, the mud and muck-bottomed areas in bays like Bulwagga Bay near the south end of the lake are excellent spots, especially during the ice fishing season.

Stay warm and enjoy your day on Lake Champlain