Lake Champlain Fishing Report - Smallmouth Surge, Laker Comeback and More

LAKE CHAMPLAIN FISHING REPORT - May 16, 2025

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Friday, May 16th.

The sun rose at 5:22 AM today and will set at 8:17 PM, giving us plenty of daylight hours on the water. Weather-wise, we're looking at a mild day with temperatures in the mid-60s, light winds from the northwest at 5-10 mph, and partly cloudy skies - perfect fishing conditions!

The big story continues to be the smallmouth surge we've been experiencing since last week. These bronzebacks are absolutely on fire, especially along the rocky points and drop-offs near Valcour Island and Willsboro Bay. Anglers are reporting limits of 3-4 pound smallies, with a few trophy 5-pounders mixed in. Tube jigs in green pumpkin and drop shot rigs with 4" finesse worms have been the ticket for these fighters.

Largemouth action remains strong in the bays and weed beds of the Inland Sea. One local angler landed a monster 7.5-pounder near St. Albans Bay using a white spinnerbait along weed edges. For the bucketmouths, try working Texas-rigged soft plastics through the emerging weed beds or throwing topwater frogs in the early morning.

Lake trout fishing continues to impress following the big news that stocking will end after this spring due to the successful restoration of wild populations. The lake trout are holding their own with increasing natural reproduction, and some locals have noted fewer lamprey wounds on wild fish compared to stocked ones. Deep trolling with spoons in the Main Lake Basin at 70-90 feet has been productive, especially near the Burlington Ledges and Port Henry.

Salmon enthusiasts are finding success between Split Rock and Shelburne Point, with downriggers set between 40-60 feet. Flasher and fly combinations in green/silver have been hot, along with Michigan stinger spoons.

For panfish, crappies and bluegills are active in the shallow bays, with Bulwagga Bay and Missisquoi Bay producing consistent catches on small jigs tipped with worms.

Hot spots for the weekend: For smallmouth, focus on the Inland Sea around the islands. For lakers, the deep water off Burlington is your best bet. And don't overlook Mallets Bay for a mixed bag of species.

Bait shops are well-stocked with live bait, including nightcrawlers, leeches, and shiners, but artificial lures have been outperforming live bait in most areas.

Remember, with the lake trout restoration success now official, we're witnessing a historic moment on Champlain. The decades of conservation work are paying off with a self-sustaining fishery that promises great action for years to come.

That's the report for today, May 16th. This is Artificial Lure, reminding you to keep your line tight and your stories even tighter! See you on the water.