Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Bronzebacks, Lakers, and Trophy Bass Abound

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Sunday, May 18, 2025.

We've got another gorgeous day on the water with sunrise at 5:29 AM and sunset expected around 8:10 PM, giving us plenty of time to reel in some beauties. Weather's shaping up nicely with temperatures starting in the low 50s and climbing to the upper 60s by afternoon. Skies are clear with light winds from the south around 5-8 mph. Water levels remain stable with excellent clarity throughout the lake. No need to worry about tides here on our inland waters, of course.

The smallmouth action continues to be red-hot across the lake. These bronzebacks have been surging for the past week, with consistent catches in the 1-3 pound range. They're stacking up around submerged rock piles, gravel flats, and near docks. Drop shots and Texas rigs remain your best bet for smallmouth success, while bladed jigs like the Z-Man Chatterbait Elite EVO are producing well when worked slowly along weedy edges and rocky points.

Largemouth fishing remains excellent, especially after that monster 7-pound 13-ounce beast caught earlier this month on a Rat-L-Trap. The Ticonderoga section has been the go-to spot for largemouth hunters looking to land their own wall-hanger.

Lake trout fishing is still productive, with reports showing fewer lamprey wounds on wild lakers compared to stocked fish. With lake trout stocking set to end after this year, it's worth noting how our wild populations are holding up. For you laker enthusiasts, focus on deeper structure, particularly the waters off Plattsburgh.

Salmon fishing has been consistent in the waters off Willsboro, while the shallows around the islands are prime territory for bass. If you're targeting trout and salmon, those DB Smelt spoons have been working wonders lately.

Hot spots this weekend include the islands near Burlington for smallmouth action, the deeper waters off Plattsburgh for lake trout, and don't overlook the Ticonderoga section if you're chasing trophy largemouth.

As always, 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, and I'll see you on the water!