Hi, back out on the lake for another year of boating and fishing on Lake Champlain.   We've started a little earlier this year than last (by a month or so) and have not had any luck at all.  We've been fishing all the same spots as last year, and tried just about every lure and plastic we have, and just not getting any luck.    We've been in the shallows and deeps, around structure, etc.   Any words of wisdom?  (I know it's a large open ended question)...

Anyone??  Not looking for anyone to give away their secret places, but just not even getting bites.   Does anyone know if we're still in spawning time or past?

Thanks for any insight anyone can provide.  I'm sure the pro's know what's going on..but we're just recreational fishers.

Hi, back out on the lake for another year of boating and fishing on Lake Champlain. We've started a little earlier this year than last (by a month or so) and have not had any luck at all. We've been fishing all the same spots as last year, and tried just about every lure and plastic we have, and just not getting any luck. We've been in the shallows and deeps, around structure, etc. Any words of wisdom? (I know it's a large open ended question)...

The first one is always the hardest.  I dont know anything about champlain but my opinion is that if you feel youve fished most variable spots (cover, structure, different depths) then go out of the ordinary and see what you can get.  Go really shallow, really deep, try some out of the ordinary lures.  It may just take time.  Let me know how you do.

Depends on where you are in champlain.  Spots from Benson landing on south towards Poultney VT, are already spawned out.  Spots closer to Burlington are still in pre-spawn, the water temp.  topped out at 55 degrees last week.  Hopefully that helps you.

Thanks Bassinboy, I will keep on trying.  Fact is, we love being on the water, even if we're not cathing anything.  

The first one is always the hardest. I dont know anything about champlain but my opinion is that if you feel youve fished most variable spots (cover, structure, different depths) then go out of the ordinary and see what you can get. Go really shallow, really deep, try some out of the ordinary lures. It may just take time. Let me know how you do.

Thanks VTBassMaster,

In Mallets bay and the Gut last weekend we were reading up to 62 degrees water temperature.   The main lake though is still pretty darn cold.  What would that tell you about the spawn?   Is it the main lake temperature that defines the spawn?   Do I lay off until the spawn is done?   I've been reading a lot, and maybe I need to try smaller lures and plastics with less action (lots of 'dead stick').    

Depends on where you are in champlain. Spots from Benson landing on south towards Poultney VT, are already spawned out. Spots closer to Burlington are still in pre-spawn, the water temp. topped out at 55 degrees last week. Hopefully that helps you.

For Mallet's Bay fish a 4" watermelon SLIM senko texas rigged with an 1/8 oz bullet around rocky/bluff banks.

Our UPS pickup driver returned from a weekend trip at Champlain.  They launched out of South Bay. He said they did good with 7 straight worms fishing banks that offered both wood and weeds together.  They also got some on spinnerbaits when it got cloudy.

Thanks Colonel, we'll give it a try this weekend.

For Mallet's Bay fish a 4" watermelon SLIM senko texas rigged with an 1/8 oz bullet around rocky/bluff banks.

Thanks Zel for your post.   We've never gone below Otter Creek on Champlain so maybe it's time we head way down south.  I know it's shallower and the largemouth action is supposed to be really good.  I hear many of the pro's spend a bit of time down there during the tourney's.

Our UPS pickup driver returned from a weekend trip at Champlain. They launched out of South Bay. He said they did good with 7 straight worms fishing banks that offered both wood and weeds together. They also got some on spinnerbaits when it got cloudy.

Try fishing a tube slowly along the bottom. Target rocky points and rocky flats near dropoffs (8 to 15 feet deep).  You should be able to find some great smallie fishing.  Try a suspending jerk bait or burn a spinner bait in the same areas. Try going into the inland sea.  There is some great fishing in the southern end of the lake But.....you are already in some great fishing water up there.  

I have been fishing north of Burlington once or twice a week for the last few.  Fish have come from really shallow water with good cover.  That said it has not be real fast action, seems everyone I talk to and watch is doing pretty poorly.  It warmed up for a week and got us fishermen excited but the temps just don't seem to be there yet.  

Welcome aboard!

8-)

NEKvt I agree the LM fishing should be good very shallow. The lake is still a little high and flooded back into the bushes a little.

Here is a picture of a smallie I got last week in about 10 feet of water.  It was just over 3 1/2 on the boca  

Thanks VTBassin NEKVt,

Nice Smallie for Champlain!!

I wish we were so successful.    So far we've gotten 2 really small smallies (<1lb) and a bunch of northern Pike and perch.    But can't find a large mouth (which I've always had luck finding when I couldn't find a good smallie spot) and no real good smallies.     Last weekend we were limited for weather to protected areas in Mallets bay.  While we're not fair-weather--nly folks by any means, when the wind is blowing too hard it just isn't any fun being blown all over and trying to make casts.     Last weekend I tried the 4" worms on a texas setup, tubes, craws, and top waters.   Actually saw a couple of swirls on topwaters and got excited, but no takers.     Oh well, there's always next weekend.  In the cove we fished in, the surface water (on sensor) was around 63.5 degrees, but suspect that it's much colder a few feet down.

Thanks VTBassin NEKVt,

Nice Smallie for Champlain!!

I wish we were so successful. So far we've gotten 2 really small smallies (<1lb) and a bunch of northern Pike and perch. But can't find a large mouth (which I've always had luck finding when I couldn't find a good smallie spot) and no real good smallies. Last weekend we were limited for weather to protected areas in Mallets bay. While we're not fair-weather--nly folks by any means, when the wind is blowing too hard it just isn't any fun being blown all over and trying to make casts. Last weekend I tried the 4" worms on a texas setup, tubes, craws, and top waters. Actually saw a couple of swirls on topwaters and got excited, but no takers. Oh well, there's always next weekend. In the cove we fished in, the surface water (on sensor) was around 63.5 degrees, but suspect that it's much colder a few feet down.

Geez...You're fishing one of the premier smallmouth lakes in the world!

Why would you want to waste a minute searching for green fish?

:

Geez...You're fishing one of the premier smallmouth lakes in the world!

Why would you want to waste a minute searching for green fish?

\

I am with roadwarrior on this one.  This is a good time to target smallies.  Look for those rocky points and flats.  If the wind is blowing and making it hard to keep contact with the bottom use more weight  :  The smallies are there and you will love it when you wack a 4 pounder

RW, how about a little break!   We've been out every weekend looking for smallies including last weekend.  We're just not that good yet with knowing where to find them at each time of the year.  We're working on it though.   We've had a few bad weather days where it's difficult to be on the main lake without a death wish (it's a very big lake.... not like those southern ponds).    When all else fails, I've been able to find some nice largemouths, but so far this year...nadda.

Thanks VTBassin NEKVt,

Nice Smallie for Champlain!!

I wish we were so successful. So far we've gotten 2 really small smallies (<1lb) and a bunch of northern Pike and perch. But can't find a large mouth (which I've always had luck finding when I couldn't find a good smallie spot) and no real good smallies. Last weekend we were limited for weather to protected areas in Mallets bay. While we're not fair-weather--nly folks by any means, when the wind is blowing too hard it just isn't any fun being blown all over and trying to make casts. Last weekend I tried the 4" worms on a texas setup, tubes, craws, and top waters. Actually saw a couple of swirls on topwaters and got excited, but no takers. Oh well, there's always next weekend. In the cove we fished in, the surface water (on sensor) was around 63.5 degrees, but suspect that it's much colder a few feet down.

Geez...You're fishing one of the premier smallmouth lakes in the world!

Why would you want to waste a minute searching for green fish?

:

Ditto my comment to RW..  We've tried the points, the bluffs, with every plastic and lure I have (can't fish live bait yet in Vt).   Our techniques have been successful in the past but maybe it's because we've started earlier than previously.    We're ready to try again this coming weekend.     But thank you for the suggestions, we'll find-em eventually.    We've stuck close to the bay so far this year but if it's nice this weekend, we'll probably head up around the islands where we've found some nice spots in prior years.

Terri

Geez...You're fishing one of the premier smallmouth lakes in the world!

Why would you want to waste a minute searching for green fish?

\

I am with roadwarrior on this one. This is a good time to target smallies. Look for those rocky points and flats. If the wind is blowing and making it hard to keep contact with the bottom use more weight : The smallies are there and you will love it when you wack a 4 pounder

Going to be a hot couple days this weekend.  Best of luck.  I won't be on Champlain, but I will be fishing.

Heading up the 22nd-25th and psyched about the trip.  Fished there last few years and hammered them at, and South of Ticonderoga.  Fishing 3 and a half days on Champlain... PRICELESS!

Love to meet anyone at the ramp Sunday the 22nd  at 1st light...White Yukon and Blue Stratos....names Jamie-

Take Care