Lake Champlain Fishing Report: Snow Squalls, Trophy Bass, and Expanded Trout Opportunities

# Lake Champlain Fishing Report – December 4, 2025

Well folks, this is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Lake Champlain fishing report for today. We're looking at some challenging conditions out there, so listen up.

**Weather & Conditions**

Mother Nature's throwing us a curveball this morning. A cold front is moving through early this Thursday, bringing heavy snow showers and embedded snow squalls that'll make travel hazardous. We're talking visibility down to a quarter mile, quick snow accumulation of one to two inches, and gusty winds. So layer up and be safe out there. The National Weather Service is keeping a close eye on conditions, so check their forecasts before heading out.

**Fish Activity**

The good news? December through March is prime time for targeting giant bass on Lake Champlain. Mercury pro Marshall Hughes confirms this is the season. Recently, we saw some impressive action during the Bass Pro Tour event where Jacob Wheeler dominated with 88 pounds, 2 ounces on 27 smallmouth bass—absolutely stellar performance. The tournament revealed a diverse fishery with both smallmouth and largemouth providing serious scoring opportunities.

**What's Biting**

Wheeler's championship setup was a Googan Baits Rattlin' Ned in Smelt and Green Pumpkin Goby on a finesse Neko hook—that's your go-to for deeper smallies right now. If you're after largemouth, a green pumpkin jig with a Berkley PowerBait Pit Boss is producing solid results. Drop-shotting with Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worms is another winner for deep structure. Texas-rigged stick worms and spoons are also working well in the current pattern.

**Hot Spots**

Target isolated boulders and rock piles in 35 to 40 feet of water where the fish are spreading out searching for food. Ticonderoga's been holding quality fish, especially largemouth around covered areas. Structure with visible cover is key—bass are using these areas as home bases but roaming to feed.

**Winter Fishing Opportunity**

Here's something fresh: Vermont Fish and Wildlife just expanded their fall stocking program, allowing catch-and-release fishing for trophy trout in nine rivers including East Creek in Rutland County through mid-April. You can contribute to their research by reporting tagged trout online—a great way to be part of the action.

Thanks for tuning in to your Lake Champlain fishing report. Make sure to subscribe for daily updates and tight lines out there! This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI