Winter Wonderland on Lake Champlain: Trophy Trout, Salmon, and More

If you're planning to hit Lake Champlain today, January 24, 2025, here's what you need to know. First off, let's check the tides: you'll have a low tide at 2:31 AM with a height of 2.46 feet, a high tide at 8:03 AM with a height of 2.92 feet, another low tide at 1:25 PM with a height of 2.13 feet, and a final high tide at 6:59 PM with a height of 3.58 feet.

The weather is cold, typical of mid-January, with temperatures hovering around freezing. This cold weather, however, is ideal for winter fishing on Lake Champlain. Sunrise today is at 7:21 AM, and sunset will be at 4:42 PM.

Yesterday saw excellent action for those targeting lake trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, and steelhead. These species have been active in the deeper sections of the lake, particularly in the middle area from Westport to Cumberland Head. Lake trout were caught by jigging and trolling over 100 feet below the surface, often found 1 to 3 feet above the bottom chasing rainbow smelt.

The last few weeks have been exceptional, with trophy steelhead, numerous beautiful salmon, and large lake trout being landed. Trolling trips have yielded plenty of lake trout, landlocked salmon, and steelhead, with some trips seeing over 25 bites in a single evening.

For lake trout, using downriggers, Slidediver dipsies, and copper long lines has been key. Switching baits regularly has also helped in putting these trophy fish in the box. For landlocked Atlantic salmon, lead-core lines with streamers or spoons can be effective. Jigs, crankbaits, or soft plastics are good for catching bass in the deeper areas.

Hot spots include the middle section of the main lake from Westport to Cumberland Head for lake trout, and areas like Kings Bay at the mouth of the Great Chazy River for bass and other species. Bulwagga Bay and South Bay are popular for perch and crappie, especially during the ice fishing season.

Dress warm, check your gear, and head out to these known hot spots. With the right lures and bait, you should have a productive day on Lake Champlain. The serene and peaceful winter landscape, combined with the potential for spectacular catches, makes winter fishing on Lake Champlain a unique and rewarding experience.