5.0(3 Reviews)Extended Half Day Fishing on Lake Champlain
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour guided fishing adventure on Lake Champlain watersTarget lake trout, bass, and northern pike speciesProfessional guide Scott Thurber leads groups up to four
Lake Champlain is an angler's paradise, and this 6-hour fishing adventure with Irish Raider Outfitters puts you right in the heart of the action. With Guide Scott Thurber at the helm, you'll hit the prime fishing spots where the big ones are biting. This isn't just another day on the water – it's your chance to tangle with some of the Northeast's most sought-after game fish. From hard-fighting smallmouth bass to trophy lake trout, Champlain delivers the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back year after year. The lake's massive size means we can always find productive water, no matter what Mother Nature throws our way.
Your 6-hour trip starts early when the fish are most active and the lake is at its best. Guide Scott knows these waters like his own backyard – every drop-off, weed bed, and rocky point where fish love to hang out. We'll be targeting multiple species throughout the day, so expect to switch up techniques as we move from spot to spot. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Scott provides all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait, though you're welcome to bring your own favorites if you prefer. The beauty of Champlain is its diversity – one minute you might be jigging for lake trout in deep water, the next you're casting topwater lures for bass along the shoreline.
Lake Champlain's 120-mile length gives us endless options, and Scott's decades of experience mean we'll fish the spots that are producing. In deeper sections, we'll troll for lake trout using downriggers to get our lures down to where these cold-water fighters live. For bass fishing, we'll work the rocky points and weed edges using everything from soft plastics to crankbaits, depending on what the fish want that day. Northern pike love the shallow bays with vegetation, so we'll cast spoons and spinnerbaits into likely ambush spots. The key to success on Champlain is reading the water and adapting your approach – something Scott has mastered over years of guiding on this world-class fishery. We'll use both casting and trolling techniques throughout the trip, ensuring you get the full Champlain experience.
"Great trip, got plenty of large Lake Trout and some very fun Smallmouth Bass that were very fun and was in my son's bucket list of fish to catch. Captain was great, knew right where to take us to hook plenty of fish, would definitely book again." - Christian
"He knows the lake and hot spots like the back of his hand" - John
"Hired captain Scott to take my son out fishing (while my husband and I tagged along for the boat ride). We all had an excellent time! My son can't wait to go again with Captain Scott next year!" - Meghan
Smallmouth Bass are the lake's crown jewel and for good reason. These bronze-backed fighters average 2-4 pounds but can push 5+ pounds if you're lucky. They're most active from late spring through fall, with summer being prime time when they're shallow and aggressive. What makes smallmouth special is their fight – pound for pound, they're one of the scrappiest fish you'll ever hook. They'll jump, run, and do everything possible to throw your lure. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're feeding heavily in preparation for spawning or winter.
Northern Pike are Champlain's apex predators, and hooking into a big one is like grabbing a freight train. These toothy critters can exceed 20 pounds and 40 inches, though most fish run 24-32 inches. Pike are ambush predators that love weed beds and drop-offs where they can surprise unsuspecting prey. Early season and fall are peak times when they're in shallower water, but summer fishing can be fantastic if you know where to look. The explosive strike of a pike is something every angler should experience at least once.
American Yellow Perch might be smaller than our other targets, but they make up for size with numbers and taste. These striped beauties school up in massive numbers, especially during their spring and fall migrations. While individual fish average 8-12 inches, the action can be non-stop when you find a good school. Perch are also some of the best eating fish in the lake, making them a customer favorite for families looking to bring dinner home.
Lake Trout are the deep-water giants that put Champlain on the map for serious anglers. These cold-water natives can live for decades and reach impressive sizes – fish over 10 pounds aren't uncommon, and the lake produces true trophies every year. Lakers are most active in spring and fall when they're in shallower water, but summer fishing can be productive if you're willing to fish deep. The fight of a big lake trout in deep water is a battle of endurance that tests both angler and equipment.
Largemouth Bass round out our target species and provide fantastic action in the lake's warmer bays and backwaters. While not as numerous as their smallmouth cousins, largemouth grow fat and happy in Champlain's rich waters. These fish love cover – fallen trees, docks, weed beds, and rocky areas where they can ambush prey. Spring and early summer are prime times when they're shallow for spawning, but skilled anglers can find them year-round in the right spots.
Lake Champlain fishing doesn't get much better than this. With Guide Scott's expertise and the lake's incredible diversity, you
Meet the Irish Raider II, your ticket to some serious fishing action on Lake Champlain. This 21-foot Trophy boat packs a 150HP Mercury engine that'll get you to the hot spots fast, then back to the dock with your cooler full of bass, perch, and whatever else is biting that day. Built in 2021, she's got all the gear that matters: a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on those finicky smallmouth without spooking them, GPS to mark your productive spots, VHF radio for staying connected, and a fish finder that'll show you exactly what's swimming below. The boat handles Lake Champlain's waters like a champ, whether you're working the shallows for largemouth or heading deeper for lake trout and northern pike. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines or elbowing your fishing buddy. The layout gives everyone access to the action, and Guide Scott knows exactly where to position the boat for the best chances at hooking up. Perfect for that half-day adventure when you want to get out on the water and put some fish in the boat.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are the bread and butter of Lake Champlain fishing. These golden fish with dark vertical bars typically run 7-10 inches and travel in schools of dozens, sometimes hundreds. Find them around weed beds, docks, and structure in 10-25 feet of water. They're active year-round but spring and late fall produce the biggest fish. Perch are perfect for families - they bite readily, fight just enough to be fun on light tackle, and taste fantastic fried up. Their sweet, flaky meat is hard to beat. Use ultralight gear with small jigs, live minnows, or worms. The key is finding the school - once you locate them, you can fill the cooler fast. My go-to technique: tip a small jig with a piece of worm and work it just off the bottom in a slow jigging motion.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Lake Champlain, reaching 15-40 pounds and living in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake. These silver-sided char prefer depths of 60-150 feet during summer, though you'll find them shallower right after ice-out in spring. They're the ultimate trophy fish - strong, heavy fighters that can take 20+ minutes to land. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for smoking or grilling. Cold, overcast days are best since they avoid bright light. Use heavy jigging gear with large spoons, jigging raps, or live bait rigs. Electronics are crucial for finding them suspended in the water column. Local secret: when you mark fish on the finder, drop your jig right through the school and work it with sharp, aggressive jerks to trigger strikes from these opportunistic feeders.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the classic game fish - green-bodied powerhouses with that signature huge mouth extending past their eyes. They average 12-24 inches and love shallow, weedy areas, fallen trees, and structure where they can ambush prey. Spring through fall are prime, especially during spawning season when males guard beds in shallow bays. Bass are crowd-pleasers because they hit hard, jump, and fight aggressively. They're decent eating but most anglers release them. Target them with plastic worms, crankbaits, topwater lures, or live bait around cover. Unlike their smallmouth cousins, largemouth prefer warmer, murkier water with vegetation. Pro tip: fish slow and methodical around heavy cover - these fish are ambush predators that prefer to let prey come to them rather than chase it down.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are Lake Champlain's resident predators - aggressive hunters with razor-sharp teeth that'll strike just about anything. These torpedo-shaped fish average 24-36 inches but can reach 4 feet. Look for them around weed beds, drop-offs, and shallow bays where they ambush prey. Spring right after ice-out and fall are your best bets when they're active in cooler water. Pike are pure excitement - they hit hard, jump, and fight dirty. Their aggressive nature makes them great for anglers wanting consistent action. Use heavy tackle with steel leaders to prevent bite-offs, and try spoons, large spinners, or live bait. Here's a local trick: when a pike hits, don't set the hook immediately. Let them run with it for a few seconds - they like to grab and reposition their prey before swallowing.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are scrappy fighters that'll give you a real workout. These bronze-colored fish average 12-18 inches and love rocky areas and drop-offs where they hunt crayfish and small baitfish. Spring and fall are prime time when they move into shallower water, but early morning and evening fishing works best year-round. In summer, they head deeper to cooler water. What makes them special is their fight - pound for pound, they're one of the strongest freshwater fish you'll hook. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. Use light tackle with 6-8 lb line and try jigs, soft plastics, or live minnows. My local tip: when you feel that initial strike, don't set the hook too hard - their mouths are bony and hooks can pull out easily.
5.0 out of 5.0Great trip, got plenty of large Lake Trout and some very fun Smallmouth Bass that were very fun and was in my son’s bucket list of...
He knows the lake and hot spots like the back of his hand
Hired captain Scott to take my son out fishing (while my husband and I tagged along for the boat ride). We all had an excellent ti...
Lake Champlain