As of November 14, 2024, here’s a local’s perspective on fishing at Lake Champlain, which straddles the Vermont and New York border.
### Weather and Tidal Conditions
Today, the weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 48°F and a low of 38°F. Lake Champlain, being a freshwater lake, does not have tidal conditions, so you don't need to worry about tides affecting your fishing.
### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise is at 6:43 AM, and sunset is at 4:23 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and afternoon fishing.
### Fish Activity
In the fall, fish activity can be quite active as species like bass, walleye, and northern pike prepare for the winter. Yesterday, anglers reported catching a mix of largemouth and smallmouth bass, with some walleye and northern pike also being landed.
### Types and Amounts of Fish
The bass fishing has been strong, with many anglers catching limits of both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Walleye have also been active, particularly in the deeper waters. Northern pike are always a possibility, especially in areas with weed beds and structure.
### Best Lures and Bait
For bass, the top lures have included soft plastics like curly tail grubs and plastic worms, as well as crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Jigs tipped with minnows or crawdads have also been effective. For walleye, jigging with minnows or using live bait like nightcrawlers has been successful. Northern pike are often caught using spoons, spinnerbaits, and large minnows or suckers[3].
### Hot Spots
One of the hot spots has been the area around the Champlain Bridge, where the structure and current create ideal conditions for bass and walleye. Another spot is the northern end of the lake near Missisquoi Bay, known for its abundant weed beds and northern pike.
Overall, Lake Champlain is offering some great fall fishing opportunities, so make sure to bundle up and take advantage of the active fish populations.