What Lake Champlain offers and where to fish it

Lake Champlain stretches 107 miles from the Canadian border south to Whitehall, New York, forming the border between Vermont and New York. It holds walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, pike, perch, and landlocked salmon—and the fish are there year-round, though the seasons change what works and where they hold. The lake is wide enough that wind matters; the shorelines are rocky and weedy in places, sandy in others, and the depth changes fast. You can fish from shore, from a boat, or through the ice in winter, and access points run the length of both states.

The lake's reputation rests on walleye. They're thick here, and they bite predictably if you understand the structure. Spring and fall are prime; summer requires deeper water and night fishing; winter ice fishing for walleye draws anglers from across New England. Bass fishing is strong too—smallmouth especially around rocky points and drop-offs, largemouth in the shallower, weedier bays. Pike are present and underutilized; they'll take large swimbaits and topwater in spring and fall.

Key Takeaways

  • Walleye dominate Lake Champlain and bite best in spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) on jigs, live shiners, and crankbaits near structure and drop-offs.
  • Smallmouth bass thrive around rocky points, underwater humps, and the transition zones between shallow and deep water on both the New York and Vermont sides.
  • Public boat launches exist on both shores—Kamp Kill Kare State Park in Shoreham, Vermont; Ticonderoga Lakefront Park in New York; and several others—and shore access is available at many state parks and public areas.
  • Summer fishing requires deeper presentations (15 to 40 feet for walleye) and night fishing; winter ice fishing is productive but requires checking ice thickness and local conditions before heading out.
  • Both New York and Vermont require fishing licenses; regulations differ slightly between states, so check the current rules for the side you're fishing before you launch.

Spring walleye: April through May

Spring is the easiest time to catch walleye on Lake Champlain. The fish move shallow to spawn, and they're aggressive. Start in bays and along the shoreline where the water warms first—the western (New York) side tends to warm slightly faster than the Vermont side. Fish jigs tipped with live shiners or minnows in 6 to 12 feet of water, working the edges where shallow flats meet deeper channels.

Early April, the water is still cold and the fish are sluggish; by late April and into May, they're feeding hard. Dawn and dusk are best, but you can catch them all day if you're patient. Crankbaits that mimic shiners—shad-pattern plugs in the 2- to 3-inch range—work well too. The key is structure: rocky points, weed edges, and the mouths of small creeks where spawning fish gather. If you're fishing from shore, focus on public access areas with rocky banks and deeper water nearby.

Summer: deeper water and night fishing

By June, walleye retreat to deeper, cooler water. During the day, they're 20 to 40 feet down, often suspended over the deepest parts of the lake. This is when most anglers switch to night fishing or early morning, working shallower structure (8 to 15 feet) when the light is low. Live shiners under a slip bobber work; so do jigs dragged slowly along drop-offs.

Smallmouth bass fishing improves in summer. They stay shallower than walleye and are less light-sensitive. Fish rocky points, underwater humps, and the edges of weed beds in 8 to 20 feet of water. Soft plastics—tubes, crawfish imitations, and small swimbaits—outfish topwater in the heat of the day. Early morning and evening, topwater can be excellent.

If you're boat fishing in summer, a depth finder is essential. The lake has underwater structure that doesn't show on the surface—humps, channels, and drop-offs—and finding them is the difference between a slow day and a good one. Contour maps are available through the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

Fall: walleye return to shallow water

September and October bring the second-best walleye bite of the year. The water cools, the fish move back to shallower structure, and they feed aggressively in preparation for winter. The same tactics that work in spring work now: jigs and live shiners in 6 to 15 feet of water along rocky shorelines, weed edges, and drop-offs. The bite often lasts longer into the day than it does in spring.

Pike fishing picks up in fall too. They're predatory and aggressive as the water cools. Large swimbaits (4 to 6 inches), spinnerbaits, and topwater plugs draw strikes. Fish the same structure as walleye but focus on areas with heavy weeds or fallen timber where pike like to ambush. The Vermont side, particularly around the Winooski River delta and the shallower bays, holds pike.

Winter ice fishing

Lake Champlain freezes reliably enough for ice fishing, though ice-out dates vary—typically late March or early April. Check ice thickness before you go out; 4 inches is the minimum for walking, 5 to 7 inches for a snowmobile or ATV. Local bait shops and the Vermont and New York fish and wildlife websites post ice conditions as the season progresses.

Walleye ice fishing is excellent. Drill holes in 15 to 25 feet of water over structure—humps, drop-offs, and rocky areas. Use small jigs tipped with shiners or live minnows, jigging slowly and pausing often. Tip-ups with live shiners work too. Perch fishing through the ice is also popular and productive; they're smaller but numerous and fun on light tackle.

Public access and boat launches

Kamp Kill Kare State Park in Shoreham, Vermont, has a public boat launch, parking, and facilities. Ticonderoga Lakefront Park in New York offers shore access and a small launch. Button Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh, Vermont, has a launch and is known for walleye. Woods Island State Park (Vermont) and Carleton's Prize (New York) offer shore access. Several smaller town landings and fishing access areas exist on both sides; check the Vermont and New York fish and wildlife websites for a full list.

If you're fishing from shore, many state parks and public areas allow access. The Vermont side tends to have more rocky, structured shoreline; the New York side has more sandy and weedy areas. Both hold fish. Parking and facilities vary, so call ahead or check the state websites before you go.

Regulations and licenses

New York and Vermont both require fishing licenses. New York offers short-term licenses (1, 7, or 14 days) and annual licenses; Vermont does the same. Walleye, bass, and pike have different size and bag limits in each state, and those limits change periodically. Check the current regulations on the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department website before you fish.

If you're fishing from a boat, you'll need a boat registration in whichever state you launch from. Both states allow non-resident registrations. If you're fishing from shore on public land, a license is all you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of year to fish Lake Champlain?

Spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) are best for walleye and pike. Summer is harder but possible with deeper presentations and night fishing. Winter ice fishing is excellent for walleye and perch if you're equipped for cold weather.

Do I need a boat to fish Lake Champlain?

No. Shore access is available at state parks and public areas on both sides. You'll catch fewer fish from shore than from a boat, but walleye, bass, and pike are all catchable from the bank, especially in spring and fall.

What's the difference between fishing the New York and Vermont sides?

The Vermont side (east) is generally rockier and more structured; the New York side (west) has more sandy and weedy areas. Both hold fish. The Vermont side is often better for walleye and smallmouth; the New York side has more largemouth and pike. Wind direction and your location matter more than which state you're in.

Can I keep walleye I catch on Lake Champlain?

Yes, but size and bag limits vary between New York and Vermont and change year to year. Check the current regulations for the state you're fishing before you keep any fish.

Is Lake Champlain safe to fish in winter?

Ice fishing is safe if you check ice thickness before you go out and follow local conditions. Four inches is minimum for walking; 5 to 7 inches for vehicles. Bait shops and state wildlife websites post updates as the season progresses. Never fish alone, and always tell someone where you're going.