Chittenden County, VT · Lake
Lake Champlain (Burlington)
The 120-mile inland sea between Vermont and New York — national-caliber bass tournament water and a genuine multi-species fishery. Trophy smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike (Missisquoi Bay is legendary), lake trout, and landlocked salmon all share the lake. Live water temperature from the USGS Burlington gauge. Burlington’s waterfront anchors public access.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Walleye & Northern Pike — tied at the top (83/100)
2 species tied for best of 7 tracked at Lake Champlain (Burlington).
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Lake Champlain (Burlington)
7 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 2 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Walleye Great day to fish for Walleye. In season 83/100
What's helping
- 61°F water — right in walleye's ideal range
- 14 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
- Min size
- 18"
- Daily creel
- 3
Lake Champlain: 3 walleye/day, 18" minimum. Season May 1–Mar 15.
Source: Vermont non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Northern Pike Great day to fish for Northern Pike. In season 83/100
What's helping
- 61°F water — right in northern pike's ideal range
- 14 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Esox lucius — A toothy, torpedo-shaped ambush predator that lurks in weed edges and drop-offs and strikes large spoons, spinnerbaits, and live suckers. Spawns in shallow flooded vegetation right after ice-out, holds shallow in spring and fall, and slides deeper through summer. Caught year-round, including through the ice — the prairie reservoirs of the northern plains, Fort Peck chief among them, grow trophy "gators" past 20 lb.
Prefers. Water 50–70°F (ideal 63°F) · either tide · depth 4–30 ft.
- Min size
- 20"
- Daily creel
- 5
Lake Champlain: 5 northern pike/day, 20" minimum. Missisquoi Bay is legendary pike water.
Source: Vermont non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#3 Yellow Perch Great day to fish for Yellow Perch. In season 77/100
What's helping
- 61°F water — right in yellow perch's ideal range
- 14 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — yellow perch prefers slack tide
About. Perca flavescens — Late-winter and early-spring favorite. Schools up in tidal tributaries for the pre-spawn run in February and March, taking small minnows, shad darts, and small jigs. A classic Eastern Shore "neds" fishery.
Prefers. Water 45–70°F (ideal 58°F) · slack tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- no limit
Lake Champlain: no daily limit on yellow perch.
Source: Vermont non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#4 Smallmouth Bass Great day to fish for Smallmouth Bass. In season 71/100
What's helping
- 61°F water — inside smallmouth bass's active range
- 14 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 5
Lake Champlain: 5 bass/day (largemouth + smallmouth combined), 12" minimum.
Source: Vermont non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#4 Largemouth Bass Great day to fish for Largemouth Bass. In season 71/100
What's helping
- 61°F water — inside largemouth bass's active range
- 14 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 5
Lake Champlain: 5 bass/day (largemouth + smallmouth combined), 12" minimum.
Source: Vermont non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#6 Lake Trout Marginal conditions for Lake Trout. In season 35/100
What's helping
- 14 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 61°F water — above lake trout's active range (40–52°f) — fish move deep
About. Salvelinus namaycush — The native deepwater char of the Great Lakes and cold northern lakes. Holds in cold, deep water through summer and moves shallow to reefs in spring and fall. Targeted by deep trolling, jigging, and from shore early and late in the season.
Prefers. Water 40–52°F (ideal 48°F) · either tide · depth 30–200 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 3
Lake Champlain: 3 lake trout/day, 15" minimum.
Source: Vermont non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#6 Landlocked Salmon Marginal conditions for Landlocked Salmon. In season 35/100
What's helping
- 14 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 61°F water — above landlocked salmon's active range (38–60°f) — fish move deep
About. Salmo salar — A freshwater form of the Atlantic salmon, landlocked in the cold lakes of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York — Maine’s Sebago Lake gave the "Sebago" strain its name. It chases smelt in cold water, so the bite is best at ice-out and again in fall; in summer the fish follow the thermocline deep and are trolled with streamers and lead-core. A prized, hard-jumping gamefish and the centerpiece of the Northeast’s coldwater fishery.
Prefers. Water 38–60°F (ideal 50°F) · either tide · depth 5–70 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 2
Lake Champlain: 2 landlocked (Atlantic) salmon/day, 15" minimum.
Source: Vermont non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Lake
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Vermont non-tidal
Coordinates
Notes
No live fish as bait on Lake Champlain (invasive-species rule). Walleye season May 1–Mar 15.
Local reports & rules for Lake Champlain (Burlington): Vermont Fish & Wildlife fishing & regulations → · trout stocking schedule → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Lake Champlain (Burlington)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Lake Champlain (Burlington) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Lake Champlain (Burlington)?
Lake Champlain (Burlington) is listed on this site for 7 commonly-targeted species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, and 3 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Lake Champlain (Burlington)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Lake Champlain (Burlington) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Lake Champlain (Burlington) have?
Lake Champlain (Burlington) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. No live fish as bait on Lake Champlain (invasive-species rule). Walleye season May 1–Mar 15.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Lake Champlain (Burlington)?
state agency regulations apply at Lake Champlain (Burlington). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Lake Champlain (Burlington) tidal water?
No. Lake Champlain (Burlington) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.