The Lake Champlain Fishing Report - Stellar Smallies, Hawg Largemouth, and Resurgent Lake Trout

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for May 12, 2025. We've got another gorgeous spring day ahead with sunrise at 5:30 AM and sunset expected around 8:08 PM, giving you nearly 15 hours of prime fishing time. Temperatures starting in the low 50s this morning and climbing to the upper 60s by afternoon. Light winds from the southeast at 6-8 mph and partly cloudy skies make for ideal fishing conditions. No tidal action to report since we're on an inland lake with stable water levels and excellent clarity throughout.

The smallmouth bite continues to be red hot following last week's surge. These bronzebacks are still stacking up around submerged rock piles and gravel flats, especially near Valcour Island and Willsboro Bay. Most catches are running 1-3 pounds, with several 4-pounders reported over the weekend. Drop shots with green pumpkin finesse worms and Texas rigs have been producing consistently. Don't forget those Z-Man Chatterbait Elite EVOs when working weedy edges and rocky points.

Largemouth action remains strong in the bays and marshy areas, particularly around the Ticonderoga section. Roy Gangloff's monster 7-pound 13-ounce largemouth caught on a chartreuse black back Rat-L-Trap has everyone rushing to dig through their tackle boxes for their own Rat-L-Traps. The shallow weedbeds in Missisquoi Bay and South Bay are holding good numbers of bucket-mouths right now.

Our lake trout fishery continues its impressive comeback thanks to those lamprey control efforts. Trolling in deeper water off Burlington and Port Henry with spoons at 40-60 feet is connecting with lakers in the 5-8 pound class.

For hot spots this week, I'd recommend trying Mallets Bay for mixed bag action – both largemouth and smallmouth, plus some bonus northern pike. Another prime location is the area around the Crown Point Bridge, which has been producing steady action for anglers working the channel edges with deep diving crankbaits.

Remember folks, if you're heading out early, topwater action has been explosive in the first hour after sunrise. White Whopper Ploppers and black Jitterbugs are getting crushed when worked slowly over submerged vegetation.

Water temps have climbed into the low 60s in the bays and mid-50s in the main lake, putting these fish in a feeding mood before the spawn. Now's the time to get out there while this spring bonanza continues!

Until next time, this is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and be safe out there on beautiful Lake Champlain!