Lake Champlain
A top-ranked bass lake on national lists, plus cold-water lake trout and pike across 100+ miles of water.
Depth & Structure
Average depth 64 ft, maximum 400 ft (Wikipedia). Smallmouth on rocky points, drop-offs and boulder fields in 8-25 ft; northern pike in weedy bays at 3-12 ft; lake trout typically 40-100+ ft, shallower (15-30 ft) in spring and fall.
Best Lures
Tube jigs, drop shots and spinnerbaits for smallmouth on rock; swim jigs, bladed jigs and spinnerbaits through grass for largemouth; blade baits and jigging spoons for lake trout, downrigger trolling for deep lakers and salmon; spinnerbaits and large swimbaits for pike in weedy bays.
Best Baits
Emerald shiners and fatheads under slip floats or on light bottom rigs are reported by shops around Plattsburgh and Colchester for perch and mixed panfish, with occasional smallmouth or lake trout; nightcrawlers on small jigs along deeper…
Gear to Bring
Medium spinning/baitcasting bass tackle, 15-20 lb braid class for smallmouth; heavier 30-50 lb braid class with a wire / heavy leader for pike; medium-heavy trolling tackle and downriggers for lake trout.
Local Tips
['The Champlain Bridge / Crown Point narrows stacks bait on rock, rubble and bridge pilings in current — a place to jig blades and swimbaits for smallmouth.', 'Spring finds smallmouth shallow around spawn (May), while summer and fall fishing focuses on deeper…
Shop the Rig
Related Water
Fish photos: largemouth bass — Wikimedia Commons · smallmouth bass — Wikimedia Commons · lake trout — Wikimedia Commons · northern pike — Wikimedia Commons
Fishing regulations, seasons and limits change — always check the current rules for this water before you fish. Spot pins are approximate area markers, not launch or access coordinates.