Champlain smallmouths will battle you until the bitter end. While the northern half is a renowned bronzeback mecca, the south end produces some giants, too. (Photo by David A. Brown)
August 26, 2024
By David A. Brown
Hardcore bass anglers who’ve fished Lake Champlain rave about it. Those who haven’t need to get with the program.
Discovered in 1609 by French explorer and cartographer Samuel de Champlain, this magnificent 514-square-mile fishery straddling the New York-Vermont border has thrilled tournament bass fishermen and casual anglers alike for years with its nearly equal numbers of big largemouths and smallmouths. Diverse habitat abounds, but the lake’s narrowing lower end takes on a mostly shallow, weedy look that has historically been considered largemouth territory.
Indeed, the Ticonderoga area, named for the southwest side’s historic fort, can crank up a mean frog bite and flipping rally, while the mid- to upper-lake regions have always held the strongest smallmouth potential. Largemouths roam the entire lake, as their preference for shallow cover and structure exists, in varying degrees, from end to end.
Having spent 26 years surveying and recreationally fishing Champlain’s lower end, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department fisheries scientist Shawn Good certainly understands why smallmouths rarely come to mind when people think of the south end of Champlain. As he explains, this lake takes on more of a riverine look, with vast, vegetated flats and wetland complexes with a deep channel winding through the middle. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t bronzebacks there.
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“Some of the biggest smallmouths I’ve ever seen have come from the southern end of Lake Champlain during my electrofishing surveys.” says Good, who defines southern Champlain as the area from the Crown Point Bridge (aka Lake Champlain Bridge) down to the South Bay reaches around Whitehall, N.Y.
“While the shallow, weedy southern end has historically been considered largemouth territory, plus-size smallmouths are now prevalent there as well—especially during the spawn,” he says. “I get 5- to 5 1/2-pounders regularly in my surveys. I have seen some that were pushing 6.
“The locals like to refer to it as ‘the river,’ even though it’s not the river. It’s the headwaters of Champlain. Everything flows north from there.” As Good explains, the terrain and topography surrounding Champlain’s lower end brings the silty, nutrient-rich runoff that leads to a stained complexion in which a foot of visibility is pretty good. By comparison, 5 to 8 feet of visibility in the mid to upper end (assuming calm conditions) creates a more comfortable scenario for the sight-feeding smallmouths.
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“You’re not going to dropshot in 15 to 20 feet of water, as is common farther uplake, because the fish can’t see your bait when the water is so murky,” says Good. “But smallmouths don’t shy away from that area.”
Champlain’s bass fishing is solid now, but it’s about to get a whole lot better. Target shallow points once water temperatures cool. (Photo by David A. Brown) SUMMER ROAMING The warmer months typically find post-spawn smallmouths on the move and following schools of bait. For anglers, it’s as much about hunting as it is fishing, but the potential reward is worth the effort.
For open-water work, forward-facing sonar provides the recon element needed for locating cruising fish. The strategy involves looking for bass (often individuals), making a cast or vertical drop and then monitoring the fish’s response. This allows the angler to adjust the presentation, the retrieve or the lure altogether to trigger a bite.
Jerkbaits like the Megabass Vision 110 fit this strategy well, but one of the most consistent options is the jig-head minnow (aka Damiki rig). Rig a 1/8- to 1/2-ounce ball-head jig with a slender-tail minnow or fluke-style bait like the 3 1/2-inch Strike King Baby Z-Too, but don’t hesitate to upsize to a hefty body like the 5-inch Strike King Z-Too when you need to trigger larger fish.
Another option that’ll interest smallmouths is an underspin rigged with a Berkley MaxScent Flatworm for scent appeal. Smallmouths are sight feeders, so use a darker bait with a gold willow-leaf blade during cloudy times, and go with a white bait with a silver blade when sunny skies prevail.
Many pair the forward-facing sonar technology with Humminbird’s MEGA 360 , which sweeps a full circle (or a user-defined zone) to identify structure, bait balls and fish marks. Often, this dynamic duo of sonar technology reveals peripheral opportunities worth a waypoint or even a quick cast.
“I would include a drop-shot rig and a Ned rig, as well, especially during the mid-day hours,” says Vermont-based tournament angler Roy Gangloff. “The Champlain Bridge and its bridge pilings are a good bet [in summertime], as are the submerged railroad cribs just to the north in Bulwagga Bay. Below the town of Benson, the area known as The Narrows is also a good spot for summer smallmouths.”
While summer can be tougher for south-end smallies, Gangloff looks forward to the September-October timeframe when cooling water sparks an uptick in action. This time of year, he’ll target shallow main-lake points and rocky areas with deeper water. Finding hard bottom with weeds is the right formula.
Open-water fishing demands reliable sonar. Forward-facing units are useful for tracking down individual cruising fish. (Photo by David A. Brown) Chatterbaits with a chartreuse or chartreuse/white pattern excel in dirtier water, while Rapala Skitter Walk topwaters, lipless crankbaits like the Strike King KVD 1.5 or 2.5 , Keitech Swing Impact Fat swimbaits , Bomber 6A crankbaits and finesse jigs like the Missile Baits Ike’s Mini Flip will deliver big smallmouth and largemouth bites.
Gangloff, who lives in West Dummerston, Vt., often camps in Brandon, just a short drive to lower Champlain. He no longer fishes competitively, but he’s very familiar with the area’s bronzeback bounty.
“There are good numbers of really good size smallies in that south lake; it’s a healthy population in general,” he says. “You have every age class from little 10-inchers to 4-pounders.”
In Gangloff’s view, these fish are underutilized because most everyone who runs to the south end does so with visions of big largemouths. The typical plan is to flip a creature bait like the Big Bite Baits Yo Mama or a Z-Man CrossEyeZ jig , cast a Strike King Hack Attack Swim Jig or walk a hollow-body frog across matted grass.
Gangloff agrees that the long run from Champlain’s upper region usually dissuades anglers who typically can find plenty of fish closer to port. But, as he points out, anglers who live near or travel to Champlain’s lower end and launch locally can get a jump on some of the region’s hottest bass action.
TRIP PLANNER Everything you need to know before you go. Burlington, Vt., makes a great base of operations, especially if you’re fishing the northern end of Lake Champlain. (Shutterstock image) Traveling anglers find Burlington, Vt., to be a convenient launch point. It’s serviced by the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. Numerous car rental agencies and lots of shops with all the provisions you’ll need for a fishing adventure are available. Look around the waterfront and you’ll find several representations of “Champy,” the Champlain lake monster of local lore. Hello Burlington (helloburlingtonvt.com ) offers a complete guide for lodging, dining and entertainment, but here are a few favorites to consider.
Food and Drink Lodging Courtyard Burlington Harbor : National chain with lake views; 802-864-4700Made Inn Vermont : Chic boutique inn; madeinnvermont.com Lang House on Main Street : Victorian bed and breakfast; langhouse.com Local Guides The Lake Champlain Ferry (ferries.com ) currently offers two crossing points. The northern ferry runs from Grand Isle, Vt., to Plattsburgh, N.Y., while the southernmost departure connects Charlotte, Vt., with Essex, N.Y., north of Ticonderoga.
For extended visits to Champlain’s lower end, check out the options at lakechamplainregion.com. And don’t miss the opportunity to learn the fascinating history of Fort Ticonderoga (fortticonderoga.org ). Guided tours, weapons demos, interpretive displays and a museum reflecting 18th Century culture are all available.
This article was featured in the August 2024 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe .
