• Ice Fishing on Lake Champlain: Your Guide to Catching Perch, Crappie, and More this Winter

  • Feb 7 2025
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

Ice Fishing on Lake Champlain: Your Guide to Catching Perch, Crappie, and More this Winter

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  • Summary

  • Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene around Lake Champlain for today, February 7th, 2025.

    First off, let's talk about the weather. It's a crisp winter morning here in Vermont and New York, with temperatures hovering just above freezing. The forecast shows a mix of sun and clouds, which is perfect for getting out on the ice. Since Lake Champlain is a large, freshwater lake, we don't have to worry about tides, but ice conditions are what we're focusing on this time of year. As of now, the ice is holding up well, with many areas having 20-30 inches of solid ice, making it safe for ice fishing.

    Sunrise today is at around 7:03 AM, and sunset will be at 6:05 PM, giving us a good window to get some fishing in. The key to successful ice fishing here is knowing where to go and what to use.

    Recently, the fishing has been excellent, especially for those targeting yellow perch, bluegills, and crappies. These species are active under the ice, particularly in areas with mud and muck-bottomed bays. Bulwagga Bay near the south end of the lake and Shelburne Bay just south of Burlington are hot spots right now.

    For perch and bluegills, light tackle jigging with small jigs tipped with live bait like worms or minnows has been very effective. Crappies are also being caught alongside perch and sunfish, often in the same areas. Small spoons like the Kastmaster or Genz Worms are excellent for panfish.

    If you're after something bigger, pike and bass are also biting well. Tip-ups with live bait such as shiners or suckers are working great for these species. For the more adventurous, jigging for lake trout in the deeper sections of the lake can be rewarding, though it requires more specialized gear and knowledge of the deep structure.

    In the deeper sections, lake trout are often caught by jigging or trolling, and this time of year, they can be found in areas like the middle section of the main lake, from roughly Westport to Cumberland Head. However, for ice fishing, sticking to the shallower bays and areas with good structure is your best bet.

    For those targeting larger species like pike and bass, larger spoons or jigging lures like the Rapala Jigging Rap can be very effective. Some anglers also swear by lures like the Mepps Aglia #4 Red/White blade with bucktail dressed hooks, which have hauled in hundreds of bass, pike, and perch.

    Before you head out, make sure to check the ice thickness in your area and follow all safety guidelines. It's also a good idea to stay updated on local fishing reports and regulations.

    So, bundle up, grab your gear, and get out there – the fish are waiting, and the fresh air and beautiful scenery of Lake Champlain are just the therapy you need. Tight lines, everyone
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