Late Fall Bass Bonanza on Lake Champlain

Morning’s looking good for Lake Champlain anglers leaning into this December day. We’ll be seeing partly cloudy skies with crisp temps hovering in the mid-30s to low 40s (°F), perfect for late fall fishing without the big chill yet. Sunrise was around 7:15 AM, and sunset will fall near 4:20 PM, giving us limited but valuable daylight hours. The lake itself isn’t tidal, but water levels have been steady, with no strong currents to disrupt fish holding areas. Conditions on the water are calm, with light winds from the northwest at 5 to 8 mph — nice for casting without battling waves. Fish activity in Lake Champlain right now is focused on more sluggish, deep-water patterns as the water cools. Smallmouth bass remain active, especially around rocky points and submerged ledges, feeding to prime for the winter. Recent tournament reports show anglers scoring well with finesse soft plastics like Googan Baits Rattlin’ Ned in natural hues such as Smelt and Green Pumpkin Goby — these prove lethal when drop-shot or weightless rigged around mid-depth structures. Largemouth bass, although less abundant now, lurk near weed edges and docks, more sluggish but responsive to slow presentations like Texas-rigged soft plastics and swim jigs in green pumpkin or watermelon candy colors. Crankbaits in shades mimicking perch and goby have also been pulling fish off creek mouths near Ticonderoga. For bait, live options like minnows and crayfish remain reliable, especially when targeting bass in shallower coves or under docks. When using artificial lures, skipping a Strike King Sexy Frog or a swim jig under dock covers or tight shorelines is a great winter tactic—these mimic distressed prey and entice strikes even in cold water. For line, 14 to 20-pound fluorocarbon is ideal for finesse and maneuvering in near structure without spooking wary fish. Let’s talk spots — the Colchester Causeway is always a good bet. It offers a mix of rocky bottom and submerged structures that smallmouth bass key in on this time of year, particularly around drop-offs. Downsizing your tackle here and matching your bait to the forage (think gobies and small baitfish) will pay dividends. Another hotspot to check is the Ticonderoga area near the southern basin. The largemouths and smallmouths both congregate around docks, creek channels, and weed flats. Cranking around the Ticonderoga causeway or flipping jigs near docks can trigger some winter action. Weather-wise, keep an eye on the forecast as cold fronts can temporarily shut down bite windows. When the lake stabilizes afterward, fishing picks up again—patience and adapting your presentation to slower, more deliberate tactics will win out. So, for today, I’m dialing in a mix of finesse Ned rigs and drop shots for smallmouth around rocky structures, skipping soft plastics under docks for largemouth, plus a few well-placed crankbaits near creek mouths. Toss in some live minnows if you want to slow the action down and tempt wary bass. And reme This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.