Hello,
I fished Champlain Weds,Thurs, and Fri. last week. I launched out of Shelburne Bay and fished from 5:00 am- 10:00 am. I was restricted to this time slot because it was also a family vacation/fishing trip all in one. My best laker was 6lbs. and most fish were in the 3-4lb range. The action wasn't red hot but it was steadier as the morning wore on. Not alot of bites before 8:00 am. Best spoons were a Sutton 44 and top guns in the darker colors. Best depth was either 70-75' or 50'. Tried every depth from 10' to 120' but those seemed to be the key depths. I caught fish both suspended and right on bottom. Most bites were right outside of Shelburne Bay heading south on the Vt. side. Biggest fish was off a midlake reef(green can#47 or 44- I can't recall exactly, on the gps I believe it said smith reef but was hard to make out). Most productive speed was 2-2.5 mph. Slower didn't work for me. I tried for salmon, browns, and rainbows at various depths and speeds but never could get them to bite. It was all lakers. I did hook 2 fish that felt much larger but both got off before I could see them. One was on 10 colors of leadcore and I was letting my 6 and 9 year old kids take there turns with it. You know the story, we got 9 colors and all of a sudden slack line. I was proud of myself when all I said was crap and then I calmly told them that's fishing. It was a nice fish and at times it wouldn't budge. The other nice one I had on was down 50' on a rigger. The rod pops and I grab it and It feels like bottom. I look at my graph and realize I'm over 100' of water and it starts shaking it's head. Fought it for 10 minutes and about 25' feet from the boat the line goes slack. It felt "Lake Ontario big" but that's fishing. At times the screen on my graph was literally full of bait and fish. The last day I kept hooking 4lb. lakers and dragging them. Never knew they were on until I checked on things. I was using the offshore tackle light and medium releases and I was still dragging 4lb. fish. Any recommendations for a release that won't do this? All in all it is a beautiful lake and one that I feel that the more times it's fished, the better you'll learn it and put more fish in the boat. I had a great time out there with my kids on Weds. and although we lost that big one, the excitement on their faces during the fight was something I'll always remember! Burlington is a great area for a family vacation that's only 3 hours away. I would definitely recommend it and plan on heading back in the future. Thanks to everyone who offered me advice and tips on my previous post.

Take Care,
Chris

Sounds like you had a great trip Chris.
And you are right , the more you fish it the more you will figure things out.
We found fishing further south that for catching salmon we had to troll even as fast as 3 mph.
I really like that lake as well. Good to se the kids had fun.
Good Luck!

Hey Chris

Nice report!

When are you coming up to Winni?

Smitty

Glenn,
Hello,
I'll have to talk to my wife to see what's good. I'm sure your wife would love to get together as well. Right now July looks tough but maybe some time in mid August. I start my summer job today and I'm going to have some Friday's off so that could be a possibility as well. I'll let you know. Thank's to all for recommmending the Chamberlain's release. I'll have to give them a shot.

Take Care,
Chris

Nice report Chris. As for a release try a Chamberlain Release. It has 2 settings on it, one for the rod so you can put a good bend in it and one for the fish so you can go super light for those 8" stockies to extra heavy for the big 11" Lake O dodgers. I changed to them this year and have not had failed release. They are for sale at many shops around Champlain and at AJ's. I think you will like them very much.
Tight lines.
Bob

Good report! I agree. Try the Chamberlands....you won't drag fish around.

Salty

Sounds like you had a good trip. Question? do you need both VT. and NY. licenses to fish the lake? I have been there a long time ago but seem to think the licenses may be reciprical.???

If you fish Burlington and head south you can have either a NY or Vt. license. If you fish Mallets Bay, the Inland Sea, and anywhere north then you need a Vt. license. I called Vt. fish and game and that's what they told me. If you head up I suggest you give them a call for further clarification.

Good Luck,
Chris