Crisp Bite on Lake Champlain: Chasing Smallies and Big Bass in Late Fall

Artificial Lure here, bringing you the latest Lake Champlain fishing report for Thursday, November 20, 2025. **Weather is crisp and classic for late fall in the Champlain Valley:** temperatures at sunrise hovered in the low 30s (°F), climbing just into the 40s by midday under overcast skies with a stiff north breeze. Local reports from Vermont Fish & Wildlife suggest the surface water’s starting the seasonal cool-down, clarity remains good, and recent, light rains haven’t muddied things up much. **Sunrise hit at 6:51 AM with sunset set for 4:23 PM, so you’re working with a narrow bite window—get out early or stay tight for that golden-hour magic.** There’s no tidal influence here—Champlain’s a lake, but the wind can stack water up along shorelines and in bays, potentially moving bait and concentrating fish. **Fish activity has been solid, especially for smallmouth and a mix of post-spawn largemouth, with a few scattered bonus fish.** According to the Toyota Series recap from just nine days ago, anglers were hauling in impressive smallmouth catches, often in the 3.5 to 4.5-pound range, with the occasional 5-pounder showing up for the camera. More than one local guide called the bite “incredible for November,” with plenty of doubles and sustained action through the day. **Best baits and techniques right now:** - **Minnow-style plastics**—think Yamamoto Shad Shape Worms, Deps Sakamata Shad, Berkley MaxScent Flatnose Jerk Shad—on 3/16 to 5/16 oz jigheads are absolutely dominating for both smallies and largemouth. Anglers are catching good numbers in 10–25 feet, focusing on breaks, secondary points, and the edge of grass beds. - **Ned rigs** with a small stickworm (Yamamoto Ned Senko, Keitech Easy Shiner) have been clutch when the bite slows. - **Topwater**, like the Berkley J-Walker or even a Strike King Sexy Dawg, is still triggering aggressive strikes midday, especially when the wind calms. - If you’re hunting the last of the largemouth, a slow-rolled **glide bait** or jerkbait on deep grass (think War Panda Nug or 6th Sense Ozzie) is turning up a few big green ones. - For multispecies action, don’t overlook a drop-shot with a small shiner imitation—bonus perch and even the odd lake trout can show up. **Recent catches**: Instagram user @vtfishandwildlife shared a shot yesterday of a Vermont Master Angler smallmouth caught while targeting lake trout, a classic November Champlain surprise. Multi-species catches are common, according to local posts—expect bonus pike, perch, and an occasional bruiser laker alongside your bass. **Hot spots this week:** - **Malletts Bay**—Still loaded with smallmouth chasing bait, especially at the breaks and near secondary points in 10–12 feet. - **Inland Sea**—Active schools of smallmouth are tracking alewives, especially on the stair-step drop-offs and around isolated boulders. - **Ti area (Ticonderoga)**—The deep grass is holding both largemouth and random smallmouth; worth the run for bonus green bass. - **So This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.