Episodios

  • "Late-Spring Riches on Lake Champlain: Bass, Trout, and Bonus Catches Abound"

    "Late-Spring Riches on Lake Champlain: Bass, Trout, and Bonus Catches Abound"
    May 25 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for today, Sunday, May 25, 2025. It’s shaping up to be another banner late-spring weekend on the big lake, with fantastic action for both bass and trout, and the weather’s lining up just right for anglers willing to put in the time.

    Sunrise was at 5:17 AM and sunset rolls in tonight at 8:23 PM. The skies are mostly clear through the day and winds are mild, with highs in the low 70s and a pleasant ENE breeze at about 6 mph—couldn’t ask for better conditions to get on the water and toss a line before the Memorial Day crowds pick up[3].

    Smallmouth bass are still dominating reports, especially on rocky points and around the islands. Several catches topping 4 pounds have come in, and the largemouth bite is hot too, especially in sheltered bays and weed lines. Plastics—especially green pumpkin tubes and drop-shot rigs—are getting hammered by both bass species. Topwaters and jerkbaits are working early morning and near dusk, so have a walking bait tied on if you like surface action[1][2].

    Lake trout fishing remains outstanding after years of restoration work, with many boats reporting 30-plus fish days out of Plattsburgh and Westport. Most trout are hitting trolled spoons and deep-diving crankbaits fished over 60 to 120 feet of water. Blues and silvers are the hot colors. With the wild lakers rebounding, you’re just as likely to tie into a trophy now as ever before[2][4].

    Other recent catches include some bluefish and even Spanish mackerel, which are notable for Lake Champlain and likely due to unusual water currents or bait movement—these were caught near deeper, open water structures and should be considered bonus targets this week[3].

    For bait, live minnows are still a solid choice for multi-species action, but don’t overlook soft swimbaits and finesse worms for bass. If targeting lake trout, stick to flashy spoons, and troll slow.

    A couple of hot spots right now:
    - The rocky shoals around Valcour Island and the drop-offs off Cumberland Head are stacked with smallmouth bass.
    - Deep structure off Westport and the flats north of Plattsburgh are lake trout magnets—set your downriggers and keep your spoons working just above bottom.

    No tidal swings to worry about today—just changing light and a steady wind—so focus on transitions: dawn, dusk, and areas with a little breeze pushing baitfish onto structure.

    Stay safe, keep your net handy, and tight lines from Artificial Lure. Now’s the time to hit Champlain before the big summer crowds arrive.
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    3 m
  • Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Smallmouth Blitz, Laker Lunkers, and Salmon Surge Ahead

    Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Smallmouth Blitz, Laker Lunkers, and Salmon Surge Ahead
    May 24 2025
    Good morning, Lake Champlain anglers! Artificial Lure here with your fishing report for Saturday, May 24, 2025. The sun rose at 5:13 AM and will set at 8:27 PM, giving you plenty of daylight for a full day on the water.

    Weather today is looking prime with temperatures expected to reach the upper 60s by midday. We've got light westerly winds this morning that should keep a nice ripple on the water - perfect for concealing your approach from those wary fish.

    Smallmouth bass fishing has been absolutely on fire the past week! These bronzebacks are in full pre-spawn mode and aggressively defending territories. Just last week, anglers were reporting 30-40 smallies per trip using Ned rigs and jerkbaits in 8-15 feet of water[2]. The rocky points and drop-offs around the Burlington islands continue to be productive, with numerous 4+ pounders being landed[1]. If you're targeting smallmouth, they're definitely headed to their spawning grounds now[5].

    Largemouth action remains spectacular in the southern sections, particularly around Ticonderoga. Spinnerbaits and soft plastics in watermelon or green pumpkin colors are your best bets according to recent reports[2]. One angler landed a true monster largemouth last week that had the locals talking for days!

    Lake trout fishing continues to impress with reports of some serious action off Plattsburgh and Westport. Anglers have been landing lakers in the 5-15 pound range, measuring 25-59 inches[5]. What's especially encouraging is seeing fewer lamprey wounds on wild lakers compared to stocked fish[3].

    For salmon enthusiasts, the waters off Willsboro have been producing consistently. DB Smelt spoons have been working wonders for trout and salmon anglers[3].

    Hot spots this weekend include the Burlington islands for smallmouth, Ticonderoga section for largemouth, and the deeper waters off Plattsburgh for lake trout. The Salmon River area has also been productive, with recent reports of "on fire" action for both smallmouth and lake trout in very clear water with 6-12 feet visibility[5].

    Water conditions are excellent, with clarity running 6-12 feet in many areas. Soft plastics have been the bait of choice for many successful anglers lately[5].

    With the end of lake trout stocking set to happen after this year, many local anglers are watching closely to see how our wild populations fare going forward[3].

    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
  • Fantastic Fishing on Lake Champlain: Trout, Bass, and More Biting Strong This Spring

    Fantastic Fishing on Lake Champlain: Trout, Bass, and More Biting Strong This Spring
    May 23 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Friday, May 23 Lake Champlain fishing report, coming to you at first light from the east shore. It’s a textbook late-spring morning—sunrise came at 6:15 AM and we’re looking at a sunset around 7:27 PM. The weather’s been holding steady with another cool, clear morning in the mid-50s rising to the low 60s later today. Winds are light, water clarity excellent, and water temps are still cool enough to keep both bass and trout hungry and on the move[3].

    Let’s talk fish. The fishing action this week has been nothing short of spectacular across the basin. Lake trout leads the headlines—just last week, boats targeting mid-lake humps and deep ledges between Westport and Cumberland Head reported over 30 trout boated in a single morning, with several over 10 pounds and some topping 15 pounds[1]. Jigging with soft plastics or dead alewife in about 20 feet is producing consistent results. Native fish are showing up in the mix—great news as stocking efforts wind down, and wild fish continue to thrive[1][5].

    The bass bite is also hot. Both smallmouth and largemouth are stacking shallow in pre-spawn staging spots. Smallmouths are thick along rocky drop-offs and gravel points in the southern end near Chimney Point and Charlotte. Jerkbaits, Ned rigs, and drop shots have all been putting up numbers, with some reports of anglers landing 50 or more bronzebacks in a trip[3][4]. For largemouth, the big news this past week was a monster near 8 pounds caught on a lipless Rat-L-Trap. Target docks, weed edges, and warmer backwaters with slow-rolled spinnerbaits, swim jigs, and Texas-rigged plastics for best results[3][4].

    Landlocked salmon are still cruising near river mouths, especially the Winooski and Ausable, hitting trolled spoons and flashy inline spinners. Pike are prowling the shallows in South Bay and Bulwagga Bay, where a big spoon or live shiner is your best bet. Crappie are active too, holding just off the weedlines and biting jigs tipped with minnows[3].

    If you’re looking for a hot spot, don’t miss the deep ledges near Split Rock for trout and salmon. For bass, Chimney Point and the Charlotte shoreline are loaded with hungry smallies—just look for rocky bottom and some current. Down south, South Bay is a pike haven right now.

    No tides to worry about here, just pristine lake conditions and plenty of biting fish. Best baits today: soft plastics for lake trout, jerkbaits and drop shots for smallmouths, Rat-L-Traps for largemouth, and spoons or live bait for pike and salmon.

    Tight lines and enjoy the day—Lake Champlain is fishing at its best right now[1][3][4].
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    3 m
  • Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Trout, Bass, and Walleye Bonanza on the Horizon

    Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Trout, Bass, and Walleye Bonanza on the Horizon
    May 21 2025
    Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Champlain fishing report for May 21, 2025. We’re waking up to another stellar day on the lake. Sunrise hit at 5:24 AM and sunset is coming up at 8:20 PM, so there’s plenty of light to get out and make the most of it. Weather start is cool in the upper 40s but we’re looking at a comfortable climb into the mid 60s by mid-afternoon, with just a slight southerly breeze to keep things fresh. Skies are mostly clear, making for perfect casting conditions.

    First off, Lake Champlain is not a tidal lake, so you don’t need to worry about moving tides. Water clarity remains good with visibility running 6 to 12 feet in most areas. Recent rainfall has stained a few back bays but the main lake is looking clear and open for business.

    Fishing action this week has been tremendous. Over the past few days, anglers have been hammering lake trout—just last week, one boat recorded landing over 30 lake trout in a four-hour run, with many native fish in the mix. These lakers have been running between 5 and 15 pounds and up to nearly 60 inches long. Soft plastics have been the top producer for these trout, either jigged or on a slow retrieve near deeper structure and dropoffs. If you’re targeting lakers, try white or chartreuse paddletails or tube jigs in 30 to 60 feet of water[1].

    Bass anglers are having a field day. Smallmouth are surging and holding on rocky flats, gravel points, and dock edges. The best success has been with drop shots, Texas rigs, and bladed jigs like Chatterbaits. For largemouth, the shallow weeds are waking up, and swim jigs or a classic Rat-L-Trap have both produced big bites, including a nearly eight-pound specimen caught earlier this week. Early morning and evening continue to be prime for walleye, with jerkbaits and live minnows getting it done[3][5].

    Hot spots worth checking today include the rocky points off Valcour Island for smallmouth and the deeper channels near Thompson’s Point for lake trout. For largemouth, hit the weedy shallows around Sand Bar and Missisquoi Bay.

    Best baits right now include soft plastics in natural and bright colors for trout, bladed jigs and drop shots for bass, and live shiners or nightcrawlers for walleye. If you’re trolling, stick with stickbaits or spoons in silver and blue patterns.

    The lake is buzzing with activity, the fish are biting hard, and the weather is about perfect. Get out, enjoy it, and tight lines.
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    3 m
  • Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Trout, Salmon, and Bass Biting Despite Stained Waters

    Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Trout, Salmon, and Bass Biting Despite Stained Waters
    May 19 2025
    Good morning from Lake Champlain, this is Artificial Lure with your Monday, May 19th fishing report.

    Lake Champlain woke up to rain and fog this morning, with water still stained from recent weeks of heavy rain. The south winds have been stirring things up, making the bite a little tricky in spots, but persistent anglers are finding success. Sunrise was at 5:19 AM and sunset will be at 8:22 PM, giving plenty of daylight for a full day on the water.

    Lake trout have been the talk of the lake the past couple of days. Several crews reported strong runs this morning in the Plattsburgh area, working through the murky water to pull up some nice fish with jigs. Just yesterday, anglers were rewarded with over a dozen healthy lake trout to the net, using spot lock to stay on the most productive flats. The bite has been best in the early morning, especially before the weather turns, so get out there early if you want to tangle with the big ones[1][5].

    Along with lake trout, salmon and steelhead have been active, especially in regions holding thick schools of bait. Trolling remains productive for these species, but the jigging bite for trout is truly on fire right now. Best bets for lures are white or chartreuse jig heads tipped with soft plastics for lake trout, while small spoons and stickbaits are working for salmon and steelhead. If you are after bass, they are pushing toward pre-spawn patterns. Soft plastics, jerkbaits, and crankbaits are putting fish in the boat as they feed aggressively ahead of the spawn[5].

    Recent reports show the northern end of the lake near Plattsburgh continues to be hot for trout. Another good spot has been the waters outside Burlington, particularly near the deeper humps and drop-offs where baitfish are congregating. In these stained waters, don’t be afraid to go with brighter colors or add some scent to your presentation for more visibility.

    No tidal action to worry about on Champlain, but keep an eye on those south winds that can whip up the lake quickly. Right now, the key to success is to be flexible: move around if you are not hooking up and focus on finding clear seams or bait schools.

    To sum it up, the lake is giving up lake trout, salmon, steelhead, and bass in good numbers. The top methods this week have been jigging for trout and trolling for salmon, with artificial lures outperforming live bait in the stained water. Plattsburgh flats and the Burlington humps are your hot spots this week.

    Tight lines, and see you on the water!
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    3 m
  • Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Smallmouth Blitz, Landlocked Salmon Surge, and Trophy Lakers

    Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Smallmouth Blitz, Landlocked Salmon Surge, and Trophy Lakers
    May 18 2025
    Good morning anglers this is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Sunday May 18th 2025. The sun rose at 522 am and will set tonight at 819 pm giving us almost fifteen hours of prime fishing light today. No tidal swings to worry about here on Champlain just steady freshwater action.

    Weatherwise we are looking at a classic mid May day mild temps in the high 60s climbing to mid 70s with light winds out of the southwest. Skies are partly cloudy which should keep the fish active throughout the day. Water clarity is decent though some areas are still a little murky from spring wind and runoff.

    Let me tell you the bite has been downright exciting lately. Smallmouth bass are on fire with lots of four pounders showing up especially around rocky points and drop offs in the Inland Sea and around the Sandbar State Park area. Largemouth are also hitting hard in the shallows with the weed beds north and south of Missisquoi Bay holding some real beauties. Pickerel and northern pike are hungry too so don’t be surprised if one of those toothy critters crashes your party[2][3][5].

    If you like chasing trout and salmon now is the time. Pre spawn landlocked salmon are making a strong showing around the mouths of the Winooski and Ausable Rivers. Recent trips have produced not just salmon but trophy sized steelhead and some of the biggest lake trout of the year. Lake trout numbers are up again this year thanks to healthy wild reproduction and they are hanging out in deeper water off Thompson’s Point and Juniper Island[1][5].

    Best lures this week have been jerkbaits in a perch pattern for bass and pike soft plastics in green pumpkin and watermelon for bass and classic trolling setups for the salmon and trout. Think small spoons like the Mooselook Wobbler in silver and blue or orange and gold. Jigging heavy white or chartreuse tubes is also getting lake trout to bite deep. For bait live shiners or smelt are your best bet if you want to go old school.

    If you are looking for a couple of hot spots try the rocky reefs off North Hero and the weed edges in Missisquoi Bay for bass. If salmon or lake trout are your target troll between Thompson’s Point and Converse Bay and watch your sonar closely for bait balls.

    That’s your Champlain update for today. Tight lines and enjoy this world class fishery while the bite is hot.
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    3 m
  • Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Pre-Spawn Bass, Trout, and More Biting Strong

    Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Pre-Spawn Bass, Trout, and More Biting Strong
    May 17 2025
    Howdy there, folks! This is Artificial Lure coming at you with your fresh Lake Champlain fishing report for this beautiful Saturday morning, May 17th, 2025.

    The sun rose about an hour ago at 5:30 AM and we're looking at sunset around 8:15 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get those lines wet. Weather-wise, we're experiencing typical late spring conditions - temperatures climbing into the mid-60s with light winds from the northwest at 5-10 mph. Water temps have been steadily rising, hitting that sweet spot that's got the fish moving.

    Let me tell you, the action on Champlain has been heating up something fierce! The pre-spawn bass are feeding aggressively as May has proven to be prime time for both largemouth and smallmouth. Just yesterday, reports came in from the Inland Sea tour showing multiple 4+ pound smallmouths being hauled in, with these bronzebacks absolutely crushing swimbaits in the early morning hours. As the day progresses, you'll want to focus on docks and deep water drop-offs for consistent action.

    Lake trout have been particularly active lately too. Several anglers reported success jigging for some quality lakers, especially in deeper water. If you're trolling, running a combination of downriggers, slidediver dipsies and copper long lines has been the ticket to putting Champlain trout and salmon in the boat.

    Northern pike and pickerel continue to provide bonus excitement on many trips. These toothy critters have been nabbing larger baits near weed edges and points.

    For bait and tackle recommendations, chartreuse and white swim jigs have been money for bass, while trolling with spoons in silver/blue patterns has been effective for trout and salmon. Don't overlook good old-fashioned worm harnesses if you're after walleye, especially around historical walleye grounds.

    Hot spots this weekend include the Broad Lake area for those trophy lake trout, while bass anglers should focus on Malletts Bay and the shoreline structure around Charlotte. Speaking of Charlotte, they've been pulling in some impressive catches there just this past week.

    The 2025 "Draw Your Partner" annual tournament is coming up soon, so many locals are out scouting their favorite spots. If you're without a boat, check out the "Share A Ride" section on Lake Champlain United to hop on with someone who's got space.

    Remember folks, the key to success this time of year is switching up your presentations regularly. What worked yesterday might not work today, so bring a varied tackle box.

    This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines and full livewells to you all! See you on the water.
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    3 m
  • Champlain Fishing Forecast: Smallies Sizzle, Lakers Lurk, and Perch Prowl

    Champlain Fishing Forecast: Smallies Sizzle, Lakers Lurk, and Perch Prowl
    May 16 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Friday, May 16, 2025.

    Weather today is showing classic spring conditions – expect partly sunny skies, a light breeze, and temperatures climbing into the mid-60s by afternoon. Sunrise came in at 5:23 AM and sunset will be at 8:18 PM, offering a long window to chase fish across the lake. While Champlain doesn’t have big tides like the ocean, water levels are ticking up a touch from recent rains, with the mild tidal swing making some of the back bays a little juicier mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

    Fish activity is on the upswing across the board. Smallmouth bass are lighting up on rocky drop-offs and boulder fields in that magical 10 to 20-foot depth. Largemouths are pushing into the shallows and grass beds, especially as the water warms through the day. Folks are still catching plenty of lake trout in deeper water, with good action coming from 70 to 120 feet down. Trollers working with spoons, spin doctors, and flies are seeing some steady bites.

    Best baits and lures right now have been hard to beat. For smallmouth, a drop shot rigged with a Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm or a green pumpkin Ned rig is still king. Swim jigs and bladed jigs in green pumpkin or white work great over the grass and along the edges for both species. Crankbaits slow-rolled along weed lines have been putting in work as well. For lake trout, stick with your flashy spoons or try a spin doctor and fly combo.

    If you’re after perch, target the deeper points and channel edges near the mouths of the bigger bays with a 2-inch grub or small jig tipped with a spike. There are still rock bass to be had on the ultra-light gear, and pike are prowling the shallows around the weed beds – big spoons like the classic red and white Dardevle are a solid bet.

    Recent catches have included lake trout to 12 pounds out deep, plenty of chunky smallmouths up shallow, and a steady mess of perch up to 12 inches around the bay channels. Largemouths are averaging two to three pounds, with a few bigger fish showing up near the thicker weeds.

    Hot spots to try today: the rocky points off Valcour Island for smallmouth, and the north end of the Inland Sea for mixed bags of perch and pike. For a shot at a double-digit lake trout, troll the drop-offs just outside Juniper Island.

    With the weather stable and water temps heating up, today looks prime for a full stringer and bent rods all around Lake Champlain. Good luck out there and tight lines.
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    3 m
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