Master Lake Champlain Trolling with Captain Pete
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fullday trolling instruction for salmon, trout, and pikeperchAll fishing gear, licenses, and expert guidance includedBeginnerfriendly 8hour trip accommodates up to 4 guests
Captain Pete knows exactly what it takes to turn a complete fishing novice into someone who can confidently work a trolling spread. His full-day charters on Lake Champlain aren't just about catching fish—though you'll definitely do that—they're about building the skills and confidence that'll serve you for years to come. With 8 solid hours on the water, you'll have time to really dial in your technique while targeting some of the lake's most prized gamefish. The best part? Everything's included, from top-shelf gear to your fishing license, so you can focus entirely on learning and having a blast.
This isn't your typical "throw a line overboard and hope" kind of trip. Captain Pete runs a proper fishing education program disguised as a fun day out. You'll start early, usually around sunrise when the fish are most active and the lake shows off its best colors. The morning begins with a gear walkthrough—Pete wants you to understand what you're using and why. He'll explain the rod setups, the downrigger systems, and how different lures work at various depths. By mid-morning, you'll be actively involved in adjusting lines, reading the fish finder, and understanding why certain spots produce better than others. The pace stays relaxed but purposeful, giving everyone plenty of hands-on time without feeling rushed. With only 4 anglers max, you're guaranteed personal attention and coaching throughout the day.
Lake Champlain trolling is all about precision, and Pete's boat is rigged to fish it right. You'll work with downriggers to get your presentations down to where the big fish cruise—sometimes 40, 60, even 80 feet down depending on the season and conditions. The captain runs a mix of spoons, plugs, and cut bait, switching up colors and sizes based on what the fish are telling him through the electronics. You'll learn to read the sonar, spot baitfish schools, and understand how water temperature affects fish behavior. The boat's equipped with quality Penn and Shimano reels paired with medium-heavy trolling rods that can handle anything from a scrappy Pike-Perch to a bulldogging Lake Trout. Pete emphasizes proper rod handling, how to fight fish without losing them, and the art of working a net—skills that transfer to any fishing situation you'll encounter down the road.
Atlantic Salmon in Lake Champlain are the stuff of legends, and for good reason. These chrome-bright fighters average 3-5 pounds but can push well into double digits, especially during their peak season from late spring through early fall. What makes them special isn't just their acrobatic fights—though watching one clear the water three times in a row never gets old—it's their finicky nature that makes every hookup feel earned. They'll follow lures for hundreds of yards before deciding to strike, and Captain Pete knows exactly which presentations trigger their predatory instincts. The best action typically happens when water temps hit that sweet spot between 50-60 degrees.
Lake Trout are the heavyweights of Champlain's cold depths, with fish regularly topping 10 pounds and occasional monsters pushing 20-plus. These deep-water bulldogs don't jump like salmon, but they make up for it with raw power and stubborn determination to get back to the bottom. They're most active during the cooler months and can be targeted year-round, though summer fishing means going deep—sometimes over 100 feet down. What anglers love about Lakers is their reliability; when you find them, you'll usually find several, making for steady action once you dial in the pattern.
Pike-Perch, known to most as Walleye, are Lake Champlain's most underrated gamefish. These golden-sided beauties are incredibly structure-oriented, relating to drop-offs, rocky points, and submerged humps throughout the lake. They're fantastic table fare—many consider them the best-eating freshwater fish—and they fight with a distinctive head-shaking style that's instantly recognizable. Peak action happens during low-light periods, making early morning and evening trolling particularly productive. Captain Pete targets them with smaller presentations worked closer to the bottom, and once you get the hang of feeling their subtle bites, you'll be hooked on these cooperative gamefish.
This top-rated Lake Champlain fishing experience fills up fast, especially during prime season when all three target species are active simultaneously. Captain Pete's patient teaching style and comprehensive approach to beginner instruction has made this trip a customer favorite for good reason—you'll leave with real skills, confidence, and probably a cooler full of fillets. The 8-hour format gives you genuine value, with enough time to really absorb the techniques and enjoy multiple fishing scenarios as conditions change throughout the day. Just grab some snacks and drinks, and prepare for a day that'll likely spark a serious fishing addiction. Don't wait on this one—the best dates book weeks in advance, and you don't want to miss your chance to learn from one of Champlain's most respected guides.
Meet the Missy Jean, your floating basecamp for a full day of Lake Champlain fishing! This 21-foot Trophy Bayliner walk-about packs serious angling power with her 150hp Mercury engine and Yamaha 15hp four-stroke kicker motor for smooth trolling runs. Captain Pete named her after the two most important women in his life, and she's ready to help you land your first salmon or lake trout. The boat's equipped with everything you need to find and catch fish - GPS to mark the hot spots, fish finder to locate schools below, and VHF radio for safety. The bimini top and full enclosure keep you comfortable whether the sun's blazing or lake weather rolls in. There's even an onboard head for those long fishing days. Built to Coast Guard standards and perfect for up to 4 anglers, the Missy Jean gives everyone room to cast, fight fish, and learn proper techniques without crowding. Her stable platform makes her ideal for beginners getting their first taste of Great Lakes fishing, while the trolling setup lets you cover water efficiently to find active fish.
Salmo SalarAtlantic Salmon in Lake Champlain are special - these landlocked beauties average 8-12 pounds and 28-30 inches, with their signature silver sides and forked tail. They're built for speed and put up one heck of a fight once hooked, making multiple runs and jumps that'll get your heart racing. We find them cruising the deeper, cooler sections of the lake, especially around drop-offs and structure where they hunt for smelt and other baitfish. Spring and fall are prime time when water temps are just right and they're actively feeding. The meat is top-notch too - that classic orange-pink flesh with rich flavor. Here's a local tip: when trolling, vary your speed every few minutes. These fish are curious, and that speed change often triggers a strike when they're following but not committing.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake Trout are the giants of the char family and the deep-water kings of Lake Champlain. These cold-water fish average 15-40 pounds and can stretch over three feet long, with their distinctive grey-green coloring and cream-colored spots. They spend most of their time suspended in the deepest, coldest parts of the lake - often 60-100+ feet down during summer. Spring right after ice-out is prime time when they move shallow to feed, but overcast days work year-round since they avoid bright light. What guests love is the steady, powerful fight - no flashy jumps, just pure strength trying to get back to the depths. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for smoking. Here's my go-to technique: vertical jig with a white paddle-tail swimbait near bottom in 80+ feet of water. The key is keeping it moving - Lakers want action, not a static presentation.
Sander LuciopercaPike-Perch, also called Zander, are the largest member of the perch family and a real challenge to target. These torpedo-shaped fish average around 20 inches but can push 39 inches in good conditions. They've got olive-green backs with dark vertical stripes and prefer the murkier sections of the lake where they ambush small schooling fish. Unlike their walleye cousins, Pike-Perch actually like that stained water. They're most active during low-light periods - dawn, dusk, and overcast days are your best bet. What makes them fun is their powerful jaws and surprising fight for a perch species. The meat is firm and mild with few bones, making them excellent table fare. Pro tip: dead bait works better than live bait with these guys. A fresh-killed smelt or small sucker worked near bottom structure will often outfish anything swimming.
Lake Champlain