Lively Smallies, Trophy Lake Trout - Lake Champlain's Summer Bounty

Artificial Lure here, bringing you the fresh Lake Champlain fishing report for Sunday, June 22, 2025. We kicked things off with sunrise at 5:13 AM and can expect sunset just after 8:20 PM—prime conditions for long, productive days on the water. Summer patterns are well underway and the weather’s just about perfect for fishing: temps are climbing from the upper 50s this morning into the low 70s by midday, with partly cloudy skies and a light southwest breeze. No need to worry about tides—Champlain’s an inland lake, so just watch for wind shifts and changing light. Smallmouth bass are the big story, especially in the central and northern lake. Recent tournament crews and pleasure anglers alike are stacking up smallies in the 2- to 4-pound range, with a few bruisers topping five. Prime spots include the rocky points and gravel flats off Valcour Island, Willsboro Bay, and the edges of the Inland Sea, according to area guides and creel reports. Several boats yesterday reported 15 to 20 smallmouth in a session, and some bonus northern pike as well. Early and late in the day, topwater baits like a Zara Spook or Berkley Choppo are pulling aggressive strikes over submerged grass and boulders. As the sun climbs, switch over to tube jigs in green pumpkin or a drop shot rig dressed with a 4-inch finesse worm (blackberry or green pumpkin work best). If you’re seeing smallmouth still on the beds, a Ned rig or TRD Bug pitched close will draw those reaction bites. Largemouths are lighting up the back bays and weed edges from Malletts Bay to Missisquoi. Spinnerbaits in chartreuse and white, as well as blue and silver chatterbaits, are producing well in stained water, especially along the outside grass lines, according to Captain Matt’s latest field report. Senkos and Helgramite Ned rigs are taking fish wherever you find better water clarity. Lake trout are chewing deep—if you’ve got downriggers or heavy spoons, target 40 to 60 feet on main lake humps and drops. Fish the morning bite for your best shot. If you’re looking for hot spots, hit up the rocky drop-offs on the west side of Valcour Island, the gravel bars at Willsboro Bay, or the weed edges in Malletts Bay and the southern end of the Inland Sea. Conditions are stable, water clarity is decent most everywhere except for a few muddy bays still clearing from rain, and fish are active. Don’t forget, two big bass tournaments are running today out of the Swanton and Shoreham access areas, so expect a little boat traffic but also proof that the bite is excellent. Thanks for tuning in to your Lake Champlain report—be sure to subscribe so you never miss a beat. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.