Late Fall Chills Bring Savvy Smallmouth Tactics for Lake Champlain

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Saturday, November 8th, 2025. The sun rose at 6:39 AM and will set at 4:34 PM, giving us those shorter autumn windows to wet a line. After a brisk morning start in the low 40s, expect highs to reach about 52°F with a steady northwest wind at 8 to 12 mph, and mostly cloudy skies. There's been a persistent drought across Vermont and northern New York—water levels in Lake Champlain are lower than usual, so shorelines are exposed and boat ramps can be tricky according to the Waterbury Roundabout. Lake Champlain doesn’t have true ocean tides, but water levels vary with wind and barometric pressure. Currently, the level is notably low and clear, making for some tough but rewarding angling. Let’s talk fish activity: November’s cooling water has fired up the smallmouth bite—especially along ledges, rock piles, and the deeper drop-offs. With clear water and falling temps, smallmouth bass have been stacking up in 15 to 35 feet. Last week’s Bassmaster Elite Qualifier out of Plattsburgh saw a good mix of fish with many pros weighing five-bass limits in the 15–19 pound range—mostly smallmouth, with the biggest topping just over 5 pounds according to Bassmaster’s event summary. If you’re targeting largemouth, slow down and probe thick grass clumps in sheltered bays. FishBox.com and local tackle talk show that the shallows are thinning out for largemouth, but any remaining weed beds are still holding quality fish, with a few healthy pike reported mixed in. Best lures right now are: - **Drop shot rigs** with finesse plastics—think green pumpkin or shad colors. - **Blade baits (like the Silver Buddy)**, perfect for vertical jigging on deeper structure. - **Jigs in brown or orange craw patterns** are working, especially when bounced slowly on rocky flats. - Swimbaits and jerkbaits in natural hues are picking up bonus fish, especially when the wind kicks up. For bait, live shiners are always king for big smallmouth this time of year, especially if you’re fishing from shore or anchoring up. Some old-school locals are still dunking nightcrawlers with decent luck, but plastics have been outpacing meat as the water chills. Best hot spots right now: - **Valcour Island drop-offs**: Smallmouth stacked, lots of perch mixed in. - **Willsboro Bay**: Deeper weed edges are producing both pike and largemouth. - **The mouth of Otter Creek**: Still pulling bonus walleye and some late-season crappie. Action has slowed for panfish, but a few slab yellow perch are showing just outside Malletts Bay. Northern pike are cruising the shallows, especially on those low-light, cloudy afternoons. No salmon runs to speak of yet, but some scattered reports north of the Causeway hint at late arrivals. To wrap it up: It’s a day for finesse, patience, and working the structure. Water is low, fish are hungry, but they’re smart—keep it subtle. Bundle up and bring extra layers. Lake Champlain is still producing solid catches This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.