Crisp Fall Bite on Lake Champlain: Smallies on the Chew, Topwaters Crushing It - Artificial Lure's Fishing Report

Welcome to another Lake Champlain Fishing Report with me, Artificial Lure, your go-to local on-the-water expert, live from the docks—except actually, I’m just in your earbuds. Looking across the water this morning, it’s shaping up to be a fine fall day on Champlain, with a little extra bite in the air. Let’s dive in—no, not literally—with what you need to know for October 8, 2025. Weather-wise, local forecasts show cool, crisp air, that crispness that makes coffee smell better and makes smallmouth chase hard. It’s mostly calm today—no big wind, but the morning started with a little mist, according to some recent angler chatter. That’s good for topwater action, which we’ll talk about in a minute. Sunrise was right around 6:50 AM, and tonight’s sunset will drift in just before 6:30 PM. That gives us plenty of daylight to work with, and the fish are taking notice. On the water, the bite is moving into classic fall mode. Reports from local guides and recent social media posts show smallmouth bass are on the chew—plenty of healthy, hard-pulling brown fish in that 2- to 5-pound range. Guys out yesterday were landing personal bests, especially when throwing blades in the wind and on deep points. There’s also a steady trickle of nice largemouth, but smallies are the star of this show right now. Some walleye action, too, if you know where to look, but bass are what’s hot. As for lures, it’s prime time for topwater wakebaits, especially early. According to Intuitive Angling, the Mega Bass Eye Loud is absolutely crushing it right now on points and around main-lake bluffs. Try slow-rolling a wakebait or working a Whopper Plopper near rocky flats—this time of year, the fish are wolfing down anything that kicks up a little ruckus. Spinners like swimbaits and inline blades are also producing when the wind picks up, and don’t forget a finesse dropshot for those tricky late-morning bites. Color-wise, natural patterns—shad, crawfish, perch—are the ticket. For the bait guys, live rain minnows or big nightcrawlers are always a safe bet. Hot spots? Try the broad, rocky flats north of Malletts Bay—plenty of smallies hanging there in 10 to 20 feet of water, and you can fish for hours without seeing another boat. If you’re chasing largemouth, work the protected bays and edges of floating docks along the Inland Sea. For walleye, don’t be afraid to hit deeper structure along the Champlain Islands, especially as the sun gets higher. And if you want a sleeper, throw a wakebait parallel to bluff banks—those big smallmouth hunker up there and will chase your lure clear out of 20 feet of water. Tidal report? Hard to nail down for Champlain, but pay attention to those subtle water movements—even a little change can reposition baitfish and trigger the bite. The real key is staying mobile and watching for bird activity—if you see gulls or terns, you’re in the right place. In short, this is what we live for: crisp air, clear water, big fish, and no crowds. Get out there, hit This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.