Lake Champlain is located mainly within the borders of the
United States between Vermont on the east and New York to the west. A portion
of the lake's northern tip crosses the Canada-United States border in the
Canadian province of Quebec.
Champlain is also home to spectacular fishing opportunities
and the best smallmouth fishery I've enjoyed fishing to date. Join Troy Lindner
and me as we explore this fantastic fishery.
We are a long way from home, Los Angeles.
While driving through New York State, there are some very
cool stops on the way to Lake Champlain.
Near Woodstock, just before joining the Hudson River in Saugerties,
is Esopus Creek and its dam waterfall.
Ausable Chasm is a stone gorge in the Adirondack region of
Upstate New York. The Ausable River passes through on its way to Lake
Champlain.
This is the Lake Champlain Bridge at the southern portion of
the lake, spanning from New York to Vermont. Troy is shore fishing in New York;
the opposite shore is Vermont.
This large freshwater body is roughly 125 miles long and 14
miles across at its widest point. So, it's no surprise that the structure and
cover elements here are diverse.
From the very start, I knew we had found a smallmouth
factory. During this trip, a jerk bait technique was one of the most reliable
methods for smallmouth bass.
This rocky point on Valcour Island, just south of
Plattsburgh, New York, has a shallow bay to the left and steep bluff walls to
the right.
A double hook-up and, you guessed it, on the Umbrella Rig.
Troy scores a double using the Umbrella Rig.
The
Umbrella Rig produced most of our catches, primarily smallmouth bass. On a
couple of our days here, we had 50-plus smallmouth catches. Despite the myths,
we couldn't just cast the Umbrella Rig anywhere and produce fish. We still had
to find funnels with plus factors and approach them correctly.
Several locations feature openings in manufactured jetties
that connect islands. The opening below this bridge at Carry Bay creates a
strong current condition. These current locations produce excellent funnels and
excellent opportunities.
Did I mention the smallmouth fishing here is incredible?
The Fort Montgomery ruins, Rouses Point, New York, is
located south, close to the U.S. Canadian border.
Border Patrol
While targeting strictly bass, you run into a wide range of
fish species at Lake Champlain.
A monster Perch hits a jerk bait while working the water
column over a submerged island.
This Crappie hit a Keitech 4" boot tail soft plastic
swimbait on a Revenge Swimbait Hedz during a pendulum cast next to a bridge
piling.
This Rock Bass was fooled with a jerk bait technique.
Swimming a Zoom toad on a keel-weighted wide gap hook
through grass and reeds in Malletts Bay produced this modest pike.
The Umbrella Rig dupes a white bass.
Champlain will reward you with beautiful sunsets.
Did I happen to mention this is a stout smallmouth fishery?
There is no shortage of docks on Champlain. This floating
cover produces shade and always holds fish. Fishing them is always a good move,
especially when the sky is blue and the sun is bright.
These docks on the Great Chazy River are just upstream
before entering Lake Champlain.
Safe Harbor Shelburne Shipyard, Shelburne Bay Vermont
Marina docks at Rouses Point, New York, are in the
foreground, and bridge pilings with current in the background add this to a
Milk Run.
Did I mention the smallmouth fishing here is spectacular?
Exposure to diverse fishing venues is why I love to travel.
Troy is fishing water lily pads in Missisquoi Bay just south of the U.S.-Canadian
border.
Water lilies and submerged reeds on a shallow flat, how
would you fish this area?
Troy landing another Smallie.
Let's not overlook Largemouth Bass; Champlain has abundant
largies, nice ones too!
This largemouth is no giant but would make its way into
countless tournament live wells. Take note of the Zoom Money Hound. When
coupled with a large wide gap hook, this is an effective weed-less lure that can
be applied to a walk-the-dog technique.
Do you see the open lane in this photo? We first approached
this spot from the other side, and the bass above blew up on the Money Hound,
but I didn't get the hook into him. When we moved to the other side a short
while later, I made the same cast from the opposite side and sealed the deal!
That was fun!
Speaking of largemouth bass, look at this Kicker. Troy has
an excellent catch using a jerk bait adjacent to a bridge piling. Excellent job,
Troy!
I did mention that smallmouth fishing is outstanding here at
Lake Champlain, yes?
I've always wanted to visit since the first time I watched a
television show featuring Lake Champlain. This trip did not disappoint.
Smallmouth in numbers and excellent size, largemouth with size, numerous bonus
catches, big water, and fishing beautiful landscapes; what is there not to
love?
