Artificial Lure here with your Lake Champlain fishing report for Tuesday, November 4th, 2025.
We’re waking to a classic late fall weather pattern—crisp air off the water, with surface temperatures hovering near 53°F. The sky started to brighten at 6:36 AM, and anglers can fish until sunset at 4:00 PM. Winds are calm early, but expect occasional breezes mid-morning and a light chop by noon, which, as every local knows, fires up the bite in those rocky shoals.
Though Lake Champlain isn’t tidal, folks ask, so here’s the regional update: the closest tide station, Bic, shows low tide early and a high about midday, useful if you’re fishing bays near tributary mouths, but it’s not a big factor for most of our lake spots.
Let’s talk fish activity—bass are still moving, though the main fall migration is winding down. Dillon Harrell at Bassmaster Opens on Champlain just reported a slow start, but once the sun rose over the water the smallies turned on, hammering moving baits like the 6th Sense Strobe Shaker and the Juggle Minnow. He described a solid flurry late morning; staying mobile pays off, but if you hit a pod, buckle down and grind it out.
Recent catches are dominated by **smallmouth bass** with good numbers of keepers in the 2.5–3 pound range and a handful of largemouth showing on the Vermont side’s grassy flats. Locals near Willsboro and North Hero say they’ve been boating yellow perch plentiful enough for a weekend fish fry—schools are tight in 20–30 feet, especially off sandy points.
Best lures right now:
- **Jerkbaits** (Smithwick Rogues, Rapala Husky Jerks) fished slow near drop-offs.
- **Swimbaits** (Keitech Fat Swing Impact, Strike King Rage Swimmers) for covering water during these late-season chases.
- **Steelshad blade baits** are a top pick for mixed species and vertical jigging when the bite gets tough, reported by New York Outdoor News.
- For perch, go with live minnows or a gold Swedish Pimple tipped with worm.
Hot spots this week:
- **The Inland Sea**: good smallmouth numbers around the reef complexes and channel edges, especially as water cools.
- **Willsboro Bay**: has been steady for both bass and perch, with a couple of pike seen milling around weed beds.
- **North Hero Bridge**: perch and smaller bass have stacked up where there’s current and structure.
With colder water, remember to slow your presentation. Bass are less aggressive, but when they commit, they’re quality fish. Perch anglers, be patient—slower jigging pays off. Hunters and anglers alike are seeing peak fall transitions, so don’t be surprised by deer moving along the lakeside brush at sunrise.
Safety note—water temps are cold enough for hypothermia risk; wear your PFD and keep dry clothes stashed.
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