Lake Champlain
lake in Vermont
Huge, glacial lake with diverse structure; productive for bass topwater/dry-dropper techniques and spring/fall salmon/lake trout trolling with flies.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Lake Champlain
- 01Baetis hatches are actively occurring from late September through October, providing consistent dry fly and nymphing opportunities.
- 02Predatory species like salmon, lake trout, walleye, pike, and bass are actively feeding on baitfish and other larger prey.
- 03Bottom-dwelling species such as carp, perch, and panfish are still accessible and can be targeted with nymphs and smaller streamers.
- 04Focus your efforts around submerged structures, weed beds, and transition zones where baitfish are likely to congregate.
- 05Anglers should also consider deeper water trolling for active salmon and lake trout, especially in areas with varied bottom contours.
Past reports week by week
12 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Scud (Pink/Orange)
Freshwater shrimp are a consistent food source in Lake Champlain, effective year-round, especially for various panfish and bottom feeders in fall.
Buy at AmazonChironomid Pupa
Midges are a consistent food source in Lake Champlain, and this pupa pattern is effective for subsurface feeding fish in fall.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective fish feeding on emergers and adults during fall BWO hatches.
Buy at AmazonEgg Sucking Leech
Effective in fall when salmon and lake trout are active, mimicking both leeches and eggs.
Buy at AmazonBaetis Nymph
Baetis are actively hatching in October, making this an essential subsurface pattern for opportunistic feeders.
Zonker
This baitfish imitation is best in off-color water or for big aggressive fish like pike, pickerel, and bass in Lake Champlain.
Buy at AmazonPerch Pattern
Imitates juvenile perch, a common forage fish in Lake Champlain, making it ideal for targeting larger predatory species in fall.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer pattern imitating leeches and baitfish, effective year-round for various predatory species in Lake Champlain, especially in fall.
Muskie Fly
A large baitfish imitation, ideal for targeting aggressive pike, pickerel, and walleye in Lake Champlain during the fall.
Clouser Minnow (Bass)
This baitfish imitation is effective year-round for predatory species in Lake Champlain, including bass, walleye, and pike.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Burlington waterfront / Leddy Park
Shore and boat access near the city with productive smallmouth fishing in summer and good access for salmon trolling.
Isle La Motte / Rock Point
Northern bays and reef structure popular for both smallmouth and lake trout when fishing deeper structure.
South Hero flats / Grand Isle area
Shallow flats and structure that holds smallmouth and is excellent for sight-fishing on calm days.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Maple Country Anglers
Master Class Angling
Stone River Outfitters
The Silver Trout LLC
Get Lake Champlain reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Vermont season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about Lake Champlain.
What flies work best on Lake Champlain?
Our top scored fly patterns for Lake Champlain right now are Scud (Pink/Orange) (80% confidence), Chironomid Pupa (80% confidence), Perch Pattern (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Lake Champlain?
Lake Champlain holds Walleye, Salmon, Bowfin, Pickerel, Carp, Panfish. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Lake Champlain fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Lake Champlain each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.