Winter Wonderland on Lake Champlain: Fishing Forecast for Mid-December 2024

As of December 12, 2024, the fishing scene on Lake Champlain is quite inviting despite the winter conditions. Here’s what you can expect today from a local’s perspective.

### Weather and Conditions
The weather is chilly, with temperatures hovering around the mid-20s to low 30s Fahrenheit. Expect partly cloudy skies with a moderate wind, making the water surface a bit choppy but manageable for ice-free areas. Sunrise was at around 7:24 AM, and sunset will be at about 4:02 PM.

### Tidal Report
Although Lake Champlain is a freshwater lake and does not have significant tidal changes, it's worth noting the water levels. Today, the low tide is at 3:53 AM with a height of 2.99 feet, followed by a high tide at 7:15 AM with a height of 4.46 feet. The next low tide is at 3:56 PM, and the final high tide of the day is at 7:45 PM with a height of 5.22 feet[2].

### Fish Activity
Fish activity on Lake Champlain remains robust even in winter. Smallmouth bass are particularly active, especially in the deeper waters and structural areas like rock piles and drop-offs. Yesterday saw a lot of activity from smallmouth bass, with some catches reaching up to 4 pounds. Trout and salmon are also active, especially in the deeper areas and near the river mouths. Yellow perch are active as well, particularly in early winter and early spring when warm water species are less active[1][5].

### Catches
Anglers reported catching a significant number of smallmouth bass, along with some lake trout and salmon. Northern pike and walleye are also being caught, although in smaller numbers.

### Best Lures and Bait
For smallmouth bass, use lures that mimic their natural prey such as crankbaits, jigs, and soft plastics. For trout and salmon, deepwater jigging and downrigger trolling with lures that imitate rainbow smelt are effective. For yellow perch, small jigs tipped with minnows or worms work well.

### Hot Spots
One of the best spots for smallmouth bass is the northern half of the lake, particularly around structural areas like rock piles and drop-offs. For lake trout, the middle section of the main lake, from roughly Westport to Cumberland Head, is highly recommended. Bulwagga Bay near the south end of the lake is a popular spot for yellow perch during the ice fishing season, but it can also be productive in late fall and early winter[3][4].

Overall, Lake Champlain offers a vibrant fishing scene even in the winter months, with a variety of species to target and plenty of hot spots to explore.