Guide To Fishing At Lake Champlain

AKA: Champlain Lake

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.

Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Rental Boats
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Lake Video
Contact Info

Lake Champlain, located on the border of New York and Vermont, is a renowned fishing destination that offers a remarkable angling experience. Known for its scenic beauty and vast expanse, Lake Champlain provides a diverse fishery with an abundance of species to target. Anglers can find a wide range of fish in its waters, including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, lake trout, Atlantic salmon, and panfish.

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. Anglers can target smallmouth bass along rocky shorelines, submerged structures, and drop-offs. Techniques such as casting with jigs, soft plastics, or crankbaits are effective in enticing these hard-fighting and aggressive bass. Largemouth bass can also be found in certain areas of the lake, particularly near weed beds and in shallow bays.

Lake Champlain is also known for its exceptional northern pike fishing. These voracious predators can reach impressive sizes and provide thrilling battles for anglers. Anglers target northern pike using techniques such as trolling with large spoons, casting with swimbaits or spinnerbaits, or fishing with live bait.

Walleye and panfish species, including yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and crappie, are also abundant in Lake Champlain. Anglers can use a variety of techniques to target these species, such as jigging with minnows or soft plastics, trolling with worm harnesses, or fishing with live bait.

Lake Champlain is not only a fantastic fishing destination but also offers opportunities for boating enthusiasts. The lake provides ample space for recreational boating, sailing, and kayaking. Boaters can explore the vastness of the lake, discover hidden coves, and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Camping facilities are available near Lake Champlain, allowing anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to extend their stay and fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area. Campers can enjoy peaceful evenings under the starry skies, prepare freshly caught fish over a campfire, and take advantage of the various amenities offered at campgrounds.

In summary, Lake Champlain provides a diverse and exciting fishing experience with its wide range of fish species. Whether targeting bass, pike, walleye, or panfish, anglers can enjoy the thrill of the chase and the rewards of a successful catch. Boaters and campers can also take full advantage of the recreational opportunities and scenic wonders that Lake Champlain has to offer, ensuring a memorable and fulfilling outdoor adventure.

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.

What to fish for...

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.

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

Valcour Boat Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats
518 420-9509

Westport Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats
518 962-4356

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Peru Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off US Highway 9, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Plattsburgh Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Dock Street, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Port Douglas Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Schuyler Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Port Henry Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Beach Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Ticonderoga Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Fort Ti Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Westport Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Home Port Lane, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Wilcox Dock Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Wilcox Dock Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Willsboro Bay Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, in Willsboro Bay, off Boat Launch Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.