Episodios

  • Lake Champlain Fishing Update: Smallmouth Sizzle, Largemouth Thrive, Lake Trout Impress

    Lake Champlain Fishing Update: Smallmouth Sizzle, Largemouth Thrive, Lake Trout Impress
    May 25 2025
    Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure reporting for May 25, 2025, with your Lake Champlain fishing update out of Vermont and New York.

    Sunrise this morning hit at 5:17 AM and sunset will stretch all the way to 8:24 PM, giving you a long window to work your favorite spots. Today finds us with mild late May weather—temperatures climbing into the mid-60s by midday, and a gentle northwesterly breeze just enough to put a ripple on the surface without making boat control tough. No tidal swings to worry about here on the inland sea, and water clarity remains excellent in most stretches, especially north of the islands and off deeper ledges[4].

    The smallmouth bass bite has been absolutely sizzling through the week, especially with these fish in full pre-spawn mood. Anglers are consistently putting up numbers, especially around the rocky points and drop-offs near the Burlington islands. Reports of 30-40 smallies per outing are common, mostly in the 1–3 pound range but with bigger fish mixed in[1][4][5]. Your best bet has been Ned rigs and jerkbaits, fished slow and steady in 8–15 feet of water. Try any transition areas from gravel to chunk rock—these bronzebacks are aggressive and defending territory.

    For largemouth action, Ticonderoga and the southern bay stretches are still red hot. One local reeled in a monster bucketmouth last week that had everyone talking. Stick with spinnerbaits and soft plastics in watermelon or green pumpkin, near weed edges and creek mouths[4].

    Lake trout continue to impress, with multiple boats reporting over 30 fish a day off the deeper structure near Plattsburgh and Westport. Most fish are coming on soft plastic swimbaits run deep, but trolling with spoons has also found success. Fish are averaging 5–15 pounds, with some pushing the 25-pound mark[2][4].

    As for bait and tackle, the most productive lures right now include Ned rigs, jerkbaits for smallmouth, spinnerbaits for largemouth, and soft swimbaits or trolling spoons for lake trout. If you’re looking to anchor up with bait, nightcrawlers and shiners have worked for multispecies mixed bags along deeper ledges[2][4].

    Hot spots to check out include the rocky drop-offs off North Hero and the reef zones around the Four Brothers Islands for smallmouth, while Ticonderoga flats and the weed beds near Benson hold solid largemouth. For lake trout, stay deep off the points near Westport and the outer edges around Cumberland Head.

    Be safe, keep an eye on the weather, and tight lines to everyone heading out. This is Artificial Lure, signing off, and I’ll see you on the water.
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    3 m
  • "Incredible Smallmouth, Monster Largemouth, and Trophy Lake Trout on Lake Champlain"

    "Incredible Smallmouth, Monster Largemouth, and Trophy Lake Trout on Lake Champlain"
    May 24 2025
    LAKE CHAMPLAIN FISHING REPORT - May 24, 2025

    Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for this beautiful Saturday morning.

    The sun rose at 5:22 AM today and won't set until 8:25 PM, giving you plenty of time on the water. Weather-wise, we're looking at a perfect day with temperatures in the upper 60s climbing to low 70s by afternoon. Winds are light from the southwest at 5-8 mph, making for excellent conditions across the lake. Water clarity remains good following our recent stretch of stable weather.

    The smallmouth action continues to be absolutely phenomenal! These bronzebacks are crushing it right now, with numerous 4+ pounders reported throughout the lake. They're stacked up on rock piles, gravel flats, and near docks as they prepare for spawning activity. Drop shots with finesse worms and Texas rigs have been consistently productive, but don't overlook bladed jigs, especially the Z-Man Chatterbait Elite EVOs paired with Missile Baits Baby D Stroyers.

    Largemouth fishing has been equally spectacular, particularly down in the Ticonderoga section where some true monsters have been caught. Slow-rolled spinnerbaits, crayfish-patterned crankbaits, and swim jigs are all producing quality fish.

    For our cold-water enthusiasts, lake trout fishing remains strong, with fewer lamprey wounds being observed on wild lakers compared to stocked fish. With lake trout stocking set to end after this year, many locals are watching closely to see how our wild populations fare. They're holding near deep humps and ledges in the mid-lake region, with jigging dead alewife in about 20 feet of water being the ticket.

    Salmon anglers should head to the waters off Willsboro where the action has been consistent. DB Smelt spoons have been working wonders when trolled at varying depths.

    Northern pike are still prowling the weedy shallows, especially around South Bay and Bulwagga Bay. Large spoons and live bait are your best bet for these toothy predators.

    Hot spots this weekend include the islands near Burlington for smallmouth, the Ticonderoga section for trophy largemouth, and the deeper waters off Plattsburgh for lake trout. For a mixed bag, try the area around Cumberland Head where you can target multiple species.

    Remember to check your regulations, practice catch and release when possible, and treat our beautiful lake with respect. This is Artificial Lure signing off – tight lines to all of you!
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    3 m
  • Lake Champlain Fishing Report May 23, 2025: Sizzling Smallies, Monster Largemouths, and Thriving Wild Lakers

    Lake Champlain Fishing Report May 23, 2025: Sizzling Smallies, Monster Largemouths, and Thriving Wild Lakers
    May 23 2025
    Good morning, Lake Champlain anglers! Artificial Lure here with your fishing report for Friday, May 23, 2025.

    The sun rose at 5:17 AM today and will set at 8:24 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to work those lines. Weather-wise, we're looking at a beautiful late May day with temperatures climbing into the mid-60s by midday. Light northwesterly breeze this morning will keep the water surface just rippled enough to hide your presence from those wary fish.

    The smallmouth bite has been absolutely sizzling this past week! These bronzebacks are in full pre-spawn mode and are aggressively defending territories. The rocky points and drop-offs around the Burlington islands are producing consistent action. Anglers have been landing 30-40 smallies per outing using Ned rigs and jerkbaits worked slowly in 8-15 feet of water.

    Largemouth action remains strong in the southern sections, particularly around Ticonderoga. One angler reported a monster catch last week that had locals talking for days. Spinnerbaits and soft plastics in watermelon or green pumpkin colors are your best bets.

    Lake trout fishing continues to impress, with several reports of 30+ fish days coming from the deeper structure off Plattsburgh and Westport. What's most encouraging is seeing fewer lamprey wounds on our wild lakers compared to the stocked fish. With lake trout stocking set to end after this year, it's heartening to see our wild population holding their own.

    For those targeting salmon, the waters off Willsboro remain productive. DB Smelt spoons trolled at varying depths have been working wonders for both species. The Ausable and Winooski River mouths are also worth checking as these fish stage before their upstream movements.

    Northern pike are prowling the weedy shallows, especially in South Bay and Bulwagga Bay. Large spoons and live bait are yielding good catches. Yellow perch are also making a strong showing, with good numbers being reported from mid-depth structures.

    Hot spots for today include the islands near Burlington for smallmouth action, the Ticonderoga section for largemouth, and the deeper waters between Cumberland Head and Westport for lake trout. If you're a trout and salmon angler, don't overlook the tributary mouths.

    Remember to check your regulations, practice catch and release when possible, and treat our beautiful lake with respect. Get out there and tight lines to all of you!

    This is Artificial Lure signing off from Lake Champlain, where the fish are always biting and the stories are always growing.
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    3 m
  • Lake Champlain's Spring Fishing Frenzy: Bass, Trout, and More Biting Strong

    Lake Champlain's Spring Fishing Frenzy: Bass, Trout, and More Biting Strong
    May 21 2025
    This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The lake has been buzzing with activity, and anglers are enjoying some of the best spring fishing you could ask for.

    Sunrise kicked off the action at 6:15 AM, and you’ll have until about 7:27 PM to chase your limit before sunset. Weather-wise, conditions are ideal: clear skies, temps in the mid-50s, and just a light breeze making for calm water. Lake Champlain doesn’t have tides, so you can focus entirely on the bite rather than the moon phases.

    The fish are on the feed right now, with water temps still on the cool side, so pre-spawn bass are aggressive and both trout and salmon are dialing up their activity. Reports from this past week have been stellar. Just last Wednesday, one charter brought in over 30 lake trout in four hours, with a solid mix of wild fish and some real hefty keepers in the bag. The lake trout are holding tight to deep humps and ledges, especially in the mid-lake areas from Westport up to Cumberland Head. The trick has been jigging dead alewife or working spoons like the DB Smelt along the bottom in 20 feet of water or deeper.

    Bass fishing is nothing short of a springtime frenzy. Largemouth are stacking up in the southern lake, especially down at Ticonderoga and Chimney Point. Smallmouth are just about everywhere, but the islands near Burlington and rocky flats are loaded. Skilled anglers have been reporting 50 to 75 bass a trip, with plenty of three- to four-pounders in the mix. Top presentations right now include slow-rolled spinnerbaits, crayfish-pattern crankbaits, swim jigs, jerkbaits, and Ned rigs. Drop shots rigged with small plastics are also picking up plenty of smallies.

    If pike is your game, the weedy shallows of South Bay and Bulwagga Bay are producing well, with large spoons and live bait doing the trick. Crappie are moving shallow into backwaters, and jigs tipped with minnows are filling buckets.

    A couple of today’s hot spots: The Ticonderoga section is on fire for largemouth. For smallmouth, the islands near Burlington and the north end rocky flats are prime. Don’t overlook the deep water off Plattsburgh for big lake trout, and the mouths of the Winooski and Ausable rivers for landlocked salmon action.

    Best baits and lures this week: For bass, it’s hard to beat a Ned rig or a jerkbait. For lakers, DB Smelt spoons and jigging with dead bait. Pike want a big spoon or a lively shiner. Crappie anglers should stick with jigs and minnows.

    That’s the scoop from Lake Champlain on this fine May morning. This is Artificial Lure wishing you tight lines and a great day on the water.
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    3 m
  • Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Smallmouth Surge, Largemouth Beasts, and Healthy Lake Trout

    Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Smallmouth Surge, Largemouth Beasts, and Healthy Lake Trout
    May 19 2025
    Good morning from the Lake Champlain shoreline, this is Artificial Lure with your fishing report for Monday, May 19, 2025.

    Sunrise hit at 5:33 AM and you’ll have light on the water until about 8:06 PM, so there is plenty of time to get after it. The weather is classic late-spring—temps this morning started in the upper 40s and should nudge up to the mid-60s by afternoon. Skies look mostly clear today with a gentle south breeze around 5 to 10 miles an hour. Water levels remain stable and clarity is good, perfect conditions for sight fishing near the shallows and rock piles. And for all you saltwater thinkers out there, no tides to worry about—Champlain is a true inland gem[2][4][5].

    On the fishing front, it has been an exceptional May. Smallmouth bass are on a major surge, stacking up around submerged rocks, gravel flats, and the edges of the islands near Burlington. Anglers have been landing lots of fish in the 1 to 3 pound range with regularity. The top producers for smallmouth have been drop shot rigs, Texas rigs, and bladed jigs like the Z-Man Chatterbait Elite EVO. Try working these slowly along rocky points and weedy transitions. For those hitting the islands, don’t be afraid to make a long cast towards the edge of the flats, especially as the sun gets higher[1][2][4][5].

    Largemouth fans—listen up. The Ticonderoga section has been hot, with one beast tipping the scales at 7 pounds 13 ounces just last week, caught on a Rat-L-Trap. Target largemouth near hard structure and weed beds. Lipless cranks, classic spinnerbaits, and soft plastics like creature baits and Senkos are catching most of the fish[2][5].

    Lake trout are still providing good action, especially in the deeper structure off Plattsburgh. Wild fish are looking healthy, with fewer lamprey wounds than in the past. Troll or jig deeper water with DB Smelt spoons or white tube jigs. Salmon anglers, don’t overlook the waters off Willsboro—some solid silvers have been coming boatside there lately, especially on DB Smelt spoons trolled just above the thermocline[1].

    A couple of hotspots to circle: the Ticonderoga section for those after big largemouth, and the islands near Burlington if smallmouth are your game. Lake trout hunters should drop lines in the deeper water off Plattsburgh, while salmon should be chased off Willsboro.

    Walleye remain steady, particularly early and late in the day, so toss a jig and minnow or a crankbait near river mouths and creek inlets if that’s your aim.

    To sum it up: the bite is strong, the weather is friendly, and Lake Champlain is delivering the kind of fishing that makes memories. This is Artificial Lure wishing you tight lines—see you on the water[1][2][4][5].
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    3 m
  • Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Bronzebacks, Lakers, and Trophy Bass Abound

    Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Bronzebacks, Lakers, and Trophy Bass Abound
    May 18 2025
    Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Sunday, May 18, 2025.

    We've got another gorgeous day on the water with sunrise at 5:29 AM and sunset expected around 8:10 PM, giving us plenty of time to reel in some beauties. Weather's shaping up nicely with temperatures starting in the low 50s and climbing to the upper 60s by afternoon. Skies are clear with light winds from the south around 5-8 mph. Water levels remain stable with excellent clarity throughout the lake. No need to worry about tides here on our inland waters, of course.

    The smallmouth action continues to be red-hot across the lake. These bronzebacks have been surging for the past week, with consistent catches in the 1-3 pound range. They're stacking up around submerged rock piles, gravel flats, and near docks. Drop shots and Texas rigs remain your best bet for smallmouth success, while bladed jigs like the Z-Man Chatterbait Elite EVO are producing well when worked slowly along weedy edges and rocky points.

    Largemouth fishing remains excellent, especially after that monster 7-pound 13-ounce beast caught earlier this month on a Rat-L-Trap. The Ticonderoga section has been the go-to spot for largemouth hunters looking to land their own wall-hanger.

    Lake trout fishing is still productive, with reports showing fewer lamprey wounds on wild lakers compared to stocked fish. With lake trout stocking set to end after this year, it's worth noting how our wild populations are holding up. For you laker enthusiasts, focus on deeper structure, particularly the waters off Plattsburgh.

    Salmon fishing has been consistent in the waters off Willsboro, while the shallows around the islands are prime territory for bass. If you're targeting trout and salmon, those DB Smelt spoons have been working wonders lately.

    Hot spots this weekend include the islands near Burlington for smallmouth action, the deeper waters off Plattsburgh for lake trout, and don't overlook the Ticonderoga section if you're chasing trophy largemouth.

    As always, remember to check your regulations, practice catch and release when possible, and treat our beautiful lake with respect. This is Artificial Lure signing off – tight lines to all of you, and I'll see you on the water!
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    3 m
  • Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Surging Smallmouth, Massive Largemouth, and Steady Trout Action

    Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Surging Smallmouth, Massive Largemouth, and Steady Trout Action
    May 17 2025
    Good morning from Lake Champlain, this is Artificial Lure with your local fishing report for Saturday, May 17, 2025. We’re rolling into the heart of spring, and the lake is alive with action from Vermont’s Green Mountains to New York’s Adirondack shore.

    Today’s sunrise was right around 5:33 AM and you’ll have plenty of daylight with sunset not until about 8:06 PM. The weather is shaping up nicely—cool in the upper 40s at first light and warming to the mid-60s by afternoon. Skies are mostly clear, with a gentle south breeze at 5 to 10 mph. No tides to worry about here since Lake Champlain is an inland lake, and water clarity remains excellent after a stretch of stable levels.

    Fishing activity has been red-hot this week. Smallmouth bass are surging, with lots of fish in the 1 to 3 pound range being caught around submerged rock piles, gravel flats, and near docks or launches. Anglers have done well working drop shot rigs and Texas rigs, and bladed jigs like the Z-Man Chatterbait Elite EVO have been especially productive when retrieved slow along weeds and rocks. The islands near Burlington are a top smallmouth spot right now.

    Largemouth bass have been the headline story down at Ticonderoga. Earlier this week, a local angler boated a truly massive Champlain largemouth weighing in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces on a Rat-L-Trap. Largies are also biting well in the shallower bays, especially around laydowns and weed edges.

    Lake trout fishing remains steady, especially off the deeper structure near Plattsburgh. With the lake trout stocking program wrapping up after this spring, most catches are now wild fish—and anglers have noticed fewer lamprey wounds on these healthy lakers. The tried and true DB Smelt spoons are still the go-to for both trout and salmon, with consistent salmon reports coming from the Willsboro area.

    If you’re looking for a couple of hot spots today, try the Ticonderoga stretch for largemouth and the island clusters near Burlington for smallmouth. The deeper drops off Plattsburgh and out off Willsboro are your best bets for trout and salmon.

    For live bait, shiners and nightcrawlers are always a solid choice if the water’s a little cool or the bite slows down, but artificial baits are excelling all around.

    That’s it for today’s report. Remember to check the latest regulations, handle your catch with care, and enjoy everything Lake Champlain has to offer. Tight lines and good luck out there!
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    3 m
  • Lake Champlain Fishing Report - Smallmouth Surge, Laker Comeback and More

    Lake Champlain Fishing Report - Smallmouth Surge, Laker Comeback and More
    May 16 2025
    LAKE CHAMPLAIN FISHING REPORT - May 16, 2025

    Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Friday, May 16th.

    The sun rose at 5:22 AM today and will set at 8:17 PM, giving us plenty of daylight hours on the water. Weather-wise, we're looking at a mild day with temperatures in the mid-60s, light winds from the northwest at 5-10 mph, and partly cloudy skies - perfect fishing conditions!

    The big story continues to be the smallmouth surge we've been experiencing since last week. These bronzebacks are absolutely on fire, especially along the rocky points and drop-offs near Valcour Island and Willsboro Bay. Anglers are reporting limits of 3-4 pound smallies, with a few trophy 5-pounders mixed in. Tube jigs in green pumpkin and drop shot rigs with 4" finesse worms have been the ticket for these fighters.

    Largemouth action remains strong in the bays and weed beds of the Inland Sea. One local angler landed a monster 7.5-pounder near St. Albans Bay using a white spinnerbait along weed edges. For the bucketmouths, try working Texas-rigged soft plastics through the emerging weed beds or throwing topwater frogs in the early morning.

    Lake trout fishing continues to impress following the big news that stocking will end after this spring due to the successful restoration of wild populations. The lake trout are holding their own with increasing natural reproduction, and some locals have noted fewer lamprey wounds on wild fish compared to stocked ones. Deep trolling with spoons in the Main Lake Basin at 70-90 feet has been productive, especially near the Burlington Ledges and Port Henry.

    Salmon enthusiasts are finding success between Split Rock and Shelburne Point, with downriggers set between 40-60 feet. Flasher and fly combinations in green/silver have been hot, along with Michigan stinger spoons.

    For panfish, crappies and bluegills are active in the shallow bays, with Bulwagga Bay and Missisquoi Bay producing consistent catches on small jigs tipped with worms.

    Hot spots for the weekend: For smallmouth, focus on the Inland Sea around the islands. For lakers, the deep water off Burlington is your best bet. And don't overlook Mallets Bay for a mixed bag of species.

    Bait shops are well-stocked with live bait, including nightcrawlers, leeches, and shiners, but artificial lures have been outperforming live bait in most areas.

    Remember, with the lake trout restoration success now official, we're witnessing a historic moment on Champlain. The decades of conservation work are paying off with a self-sustaining fishery that promises great action for years to come.

    That's the report for today, May 16th. This is Artificial Lure, reminding you to keep your line tight and your stories even tighter! See you on the water.
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    3 m
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