Fishing Report: Smallies on Fire, Salmon Runs Strong in Champlain

Good morning, anglers—this is Artificial Lure with your September 17th Lake Champlain fishing report. Sunrise hit at 6:37 a.m. this morning, with sunset on tap for 7:08 p.m. Today’s weather’s classic fall Champlain: cool and crisp, with the high just crossing 68°F and a steady north breeze at 7–10 mph. That wind’ll push waves up to 1–2 feet by late morning—just enough chop to push bait and get those bronzebacks fired up. Water levels are more than three feet below average this week, a result of ongoing drought, and the shallows are showing it. This shift’s cut back the largemouth bite in skinny water but set up a gnarly smallmouth feed in offshore lanes, reefs, and anywhere ripping current and clean water meet. According to recent Bassmaster coverage, you’re looking at a massive fall feed: big schools of bait and hungry smallies stacking up everywhere from the Inland Sea to points just north of Plattsburgh. Bassmaster expert Kyle Patrick says the lake is “just primed for huge smallmouth sacks right now.” Locals and the EQ tournament field expect 18–23 pound bags dominated by smallmouth, especially up in the Inland Sea, where over two-thirds of competitors are planning to make their early runs. If you’re targeting green bass, head for the famous Ticonderoga shallows. But be warned: with water this low, “Ti” is either a jackpot or a bust—big stringers are possible, but it’s a haul and riskier as winds build. As for action, limits are coming fast for those on top of the bite. Reports just before the EQ tournament say anglers pulling in dozens of chunky smallmouth daily, with the occasional kicker largemouth in weedier pockets. The DEC’s creel surveys on the Saranac and Boquet rivers also note strong late-season runs for landlocked salmon, so bring the long rod if you want a mixed bag. Lure choice is all about that fall transition. For smallies, jighead minnows and drop shots shine in the clear water—find those offshore rock humps and grasslines. Don’t be shy with jerkbaits; a Megabass Vision 110 or Lucky Craft Staysee, worked erratically, is a ticket for bites as the water cools. In windy stretches, tie on a white or chartreuse chatterbait and burn it over points and reefs—the Lake Champlain wind bite is no joke. Crankbaits in shad patterns and soft tubes are also hot right now. For largemouth, especially south of the bridge at Ti, locals swear by black-and-blue jigs, hollow-body frogs over dying weedbeds, and Texas-rigged creature baits—the Geecrack Bao Bab Hog EX is getting some love from the tour crowd. A couple of can’t-miss hot spots: - The **Inland Sea** up by North Hero—drift those deep breaks and you’re almost guaranteed a limit of 3–4 lb smallmouth. - **Ticonderoga’s shallows**—roll the dice here for big largemouth. Fish inside weed edges, isolated timber, or docks early before the north wind kicks up. - The mouth of the **Saranac River near the boat launch**—bonus shot at salmon with flashy spoons or small minnow plugs. Remembe This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.