Winter Wonderland Fishing on Lake Champlain: A Chilly But Promising Season Ahead

As of January 2, 2025, the fishing scene on Lake Champlain is looking promising, despite the chilly winter conditions. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect today.

### Tidal and Weather Conditions
Today, the low tide is at 8:48 AM with a height of 0.95 meters (3.12 ft), followed by a high tide at 12:01 PM at 1.37 meters (4.49 ft). The next low tide will be at 8:04 PM at 0.92 meters (3.02 ft)[2].
The sunrise is at 7:32 AM, and the sunset is at 4:14 PM. Given the time of year, expect cold temperatures, so dress warmly.

### Fish Activity
During this time, the cold-water species are more active. Lake trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, and northern pike are your best bets. Yesterday, anglers reported catching a few lake trout and northern pike, particularly in the deeper waters and around submerged structures[3].

### Types and Amounts of Fish
The lake is home to a diverse range of fish, but in winter, the focus shifts to cold-water species. Lake trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon are the primary targets. Northern pike and yellow perch are also active, especially in the shallower areas and weedy bays[3][4].

### Best Lures and Bait
For lake trout, deepwater jigging and downrigger trolling with lures like spoons and jigs are effective. For landlocked Atlantic salmon, trolling with lead-core lines and streamers can yield good results. Northern pike can be caught using large spoons, spinnerbaits, and live bait such as suckers or shiners[3].

### Hot Spots
One of the best spots is around the submerged structures and weedy bays, particularly in areas like Missisquoi Bay and the Inland Sea. These areas provide the necessary habitat for both warm-water and cold-water species. Another hot spot is near the Shelburne Shipyard, which offers easy access to some of the best fishing grounds on Lake Champlain[1][3].

If you're looking to try ice fishing, the local ponds and certain areas of Lake Champlain are starting to freeze over, making them ideal for targeting northern pike and yellow perch. Make sure to check the ice conditions before heading out.

Overall, Lake Champlain offers a great winter fishing experience, with plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of species. Just remember to bundle up and stay warm.