Fishing Lake Champlain, NY

AKA: Champlain Lake

Boat and bank fishing

Last updated on February 7, 2026.

Popular Fish Species
Lake Champlain Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
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Lake Champlain, NY

Popular Fish Species

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are the most sought-after species at Lake Champlain, with fish over 3 pounds very common. Largemouth bass also reside here in very good numbers. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good when they move to shallow water. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around any sort of rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. Other times, focus your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish.

Walleye Fishing

Lake Champlain is home to a hearty population of walleye. Plenty of forage in the lake have these walleye growing fat and healthy. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very rewarding. Use GPS to locate fishing spots you normally fish during other times of the year. Walleye have excellent vision in low light scenarios which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water anytime there are low light conditions. During May and June is the optimal time to catch them, while feeding in shallower water. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Yellow Perch Fishing

Yellow perch tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe, and the spawn has been strong for years at Lake Champlain. As a result, the lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. They are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing as well. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.

Lake & Fishing Video

Fishing tips for boat or bank fishing

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, white perch, yellow perch, chain pickerel, muskie, northern pike, sauger and sturgeon at Lake Champlain in New York.

Excellent fishing opportunities on Lake Champlain includes bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, trout, sunfish, perch, pike, muskie, sauger and sturgeon. This thriving fishery is a 271,000-acre lake on the northeastern border of New York State.

Smallmouth bass fishing in Lake Champlain is particularly popular, with the lake being hailed as one of the top smallmouth bass fisheries in the country. Lake Champlain is also known for its exceptional northern pike fishing. Walleye and panfish species, including yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and crappie, are also abundant in the lake.

Well over 100 miles of deep trolling channels and nearly 600 miles of shoreline set the stage for the fishing here. This big water is best fished from larger boats, but some areas can work for small craft, canoes and kayaks. Sections of shoreline are accessible from many locations around the lake. About a dozen boat launch ramps serve the public from the New York side and the Vermont side. Fishing charters and guides offer a wide variety of fishing packages, depending on the fish species you desire. This is a bass fishing haven, with numerous tournament held here annually. A dozen or more marinas, on the NY side serve the boating public with gas, supplies, dining and shopping. Take your pick from many campgrounds and RV parks, some at the waters edge.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Champlain

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Champlain Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

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Marinas

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Fishing License

Click here for a New York Fishing License.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby

Kings Bay Resort Campground - 514 972-2272

Lakeview Campground - 518 297-2104