Night Bowfishing on Lake Champlain
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Nighttime bowfishing guided trips targeting gar, bowfin, and carpProfessional captain provides expert instruction and local knowledgeSmall groups of six guests maximum for personalized experience
Captain Seth knows Lake Champlain's shallow bays and backwaters like the back of his hand, and when the sun goes down, that's when the real action starts. This half-day weekend bowfishing adventure puts you right in the thick of Vermont's hottest alternative fishing scene. We're talking about a completely different way to fish – no waiting around for bites, no wondering if there's anything down there. With bowfishing, you see your target, draw back that bow, and let it fly. It's hunting and fishing rolled into one adrenaline-packed night on the water.
This isn't your typical fishing trip where you're casting lines and hoping for the best. We'll be running the shallows with high-powered LED lights that turn the dark lake into an underwater stage show. Captain Seth positions the boat in prime feeding areas where carp, gar, and other rough fish cruise just below the surface. The whole setup feels like you're in your own nature documentary – except you're the star with a bow in your hands. We can take up to 6 anglers per trip, so it's perfect for groups looking to try something totally different. The boat's equipped with a shooting platform and all the lighting gear you need to spot fish in the darkness. Most folks are surprised how clearly you can see into the water once those lights fire up.
Don't worry if you've never held a bowfishing bow before – Captain Seth has been guiding newcomers through their first shots for years. The bows we use are set up specifically for fishing, with lower draw weights than hunting bows and special arrows with barbed points and retrieval lines. The trickiest part for first-timers is accounting for light refraction – fish always appear higher in the water than they actually are, so you need to aim low. Seth will walk you through the fundamentals: stance, draw, aim point, and follow-through. The arrows are attached to the bow with heavy line, so there's no losing your shot even if you miss. Most people get the hang of it after a few practice shots, and by the end of the night, you'll be nailing targets like a seasoned pro.
Alligator Gar are the crown jewel of Lake Champlain bowfishing, and seeing one of these prehistoric beasts cruise by will get your heart pumping fast. These living fossils can stretch over four feet long and have that unmistakable elongated snout packed with needle-sharp teeth. They're most active in late spring through early fall when water temperatures climb above 70 degrees. Gar move slow and steady, making them perfect bowfishing targets, but don't let that fool you – they'll put up a serious fight once that arrow finds its mark. Landing a big gar is a trophy moment that'll have you talking for years.
Common Carp might not win any beauty contests, but they're the bread and butter of Vermont bowfishing action. These golden-brown bulldozers can weigh 20 pounds or more and they're active feeders throughout the warmer months. You'll spot them rooting around in the shallows, stirring up mud clouds as they vacuum the bottom for food. Carp are surprisingly wary, so you need to be ready when they swim into range. They're also incredibly strong fighters – a big carp will test your equipment and your patience as it bulldozes through the weeds trying to break free.
Bowfin are hands-down the most aggressive fighters you'll encounter on this trip. These native predators look like something that crawled out of the Jurassic period, with their long dorsal fins and prehistoric heads. They're most active during evening hours, which makes them perfect targets for night bowfishing. Bowfin can gulp air at the surface, so you'll often see them rolling near the top – that's your shot opportunity right there. When you stick a bowfin, be ready for an absolute battle. They'll jump, dive, and thrash like nothing else in the lake.
Tench are the sleepers of the bowfishing world – they don't get much press, but they're fantastic sport and surprisingly good eating. These European imports have olive-green coloring that helps them blend into weedy areas where they love to hang out. Tench are most active during low-light periods, making them perfect for evening bowfishing sessions. They're not the fastest swimmers, but they're smart and will use every piece of cover available to break your line. A good-sized tench runs 3-4 pounds and fights with surprising determination for their size.
Black Drum round out our target species list and they're absolute tanks when it comes to pure fighting power. These copper-colored bruisers can exceed 30 pounds in Lake Champlain and they're most active during warmer months when they move into shallow feeding areas. Drum are bottom feeders, but they'll cruise the shallows at night looking for easy meals. They're not the easiest fish to spot, but when you do connect with a big drum, you're in for the fight of your life. Their broad shoulders and bulldogging runs will test every piece of equipment on the boat.
Captain Seth's weekend bowfishing trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fish are most active and the weather's cooperating. This top-rated Lake Champlain experience gives you a completely different perspective on fishing while targeting species that most anglers never get a shot at. Whether you're a seasoned archer looking to try something new or a fishing fanatic ready to expand your skills, this night hunt delivers action that traditional angling just can't match. The combination of skill, timing, and a little luck makes every shot count, and there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of a perfect bowshot followed by a hard-fighting fish. Ready to light up the night and try Vermont's most unique fishing adventure? Give Reel Vermont Guide
Ready to try your hand at bowfishing on Lake Champlain? The RVGS Motorboat Model 2000 is your ticket to some serious aquatic archery action. This sturdy 6-person vessel cuts through Champlain's waters with ease, getting you to the hottest spots where gar, bowfin, carp, and drum are lurking just below the surface. Captain Seth knows every productive corner of this massive lake, and with the boat's built-in fish finder, you'll pinpoint your targets fast. The GPS keeps you on course even during those productive nighttime runs when the big fish move shallow. Built tough for serious anglers, this motorboat handles Lake Champlain's chop while giving you a stable platform for drawing your bow. Whether you're a seasoned bowfisher or picking up your first bow, you'll have plenty of room to move around and take your shots. The combination of Captain Seth's local knowledge and this reliable fishing machine makes for some epic bowfishing opportunities on one of the Northeast's premier fisheries.
Atractosteus SpatulaThese prehistoric-looking monsters are what bowfishing dreams are made of. Alligator gar can stretch 4-6 feet and pack 100+ pounds of pure muscle behind that toothy grin. They're living fossils with armor-like scales and can actually breathe air, making them perfect ambush predators. We find them cruising shallow areas during late summer heat when oxygen levels drop. The thrill comes from their sheer size and that dinosaur appearance - plus they put up one hell of a fight once you stick them. Here's the thing most folks don't know: look for them near deep bends adjacent to shallow pools where they stage to hunt. Just remember, once you arrow one, it's a keeper since release isn't an option.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavy hitters that'll surprise you on our Lake Champlain bowfishing trips. These bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds but can push 90+ pounds when conditions are right. They're dark-colored fish with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish and mussels. You'll find them working shallow flats and around structure where they can root for food. They're incredibly adaptable to different water conditions and temperatures, which is why they thrive here. Spring brings the best action when they school up, but they're active through summer. What people love is their raw power - once you stick a big drum, you know it. My best advice: look for them on muddy bottoms near any kind of structure. They make those distinctive drumming sounds too, so listen up.
Amia CalvaBowfin are hands-down some of the scrappiest fish you'll tangle with on our night shoots. These ancient survivors hit 18-30 inches and pack serious attitude in their prehistoric frames. They love our weedy shallows and can breathe air, so they thrive where other fish can't. Males sport a distinctive yellow-ringed spot near their tail. What gets people hooked is their aggressive nature and that bulldog fight - they're pure muscle and don't know when to quit. Being nocturnal hunters, they're perfect for our evening trips. The cool thing is you're literally shooting a living fossil that's been around since dinosaur times. My go-to spot? Heavy vegetation in 3-8 feet where they ambush prey. They'll hit almost anything that moves.
Cyprinus CarpioCarp are the bread and butter of our night shoots, and for good reason. These golden-brown fighters average 15-30 inches and 4-30 pounds, but the real fun starts with those chunky 20+ pounders that'll test your gear. They're bottom-feeders that love our weedy bays and slower water, especially 8-12 feet deep in summer. Spring and fall bring them shallow where they school up and feed hard. What makes them special is that bulldozer fight - they don't quit easy and will peel line like you wouldn't believe. Pro tip from years on these waters: during our night trips, watch for them rolling near weed edges where they're rooting around. The disturbance gives away their location every time.
Tinca TincaTench are the sneaky targets that keep things interesting on our bowfishing runs. These stocky, olive-colored fish average 16 inches but can push 30+ inches if you're lucky. They're bottom-feeders with small barbels that help them root through mud for snails and bugs. You'll find them in our quieter bays with soft bottoms and plenty of weeds - they can handle low oxygen better than most fish. Spring through early summer is prime time when they move shallow to spawn in 68-88°F water. What makes them fun is they're picky and elusive, so spotting one is a real achievement. They're also pretty hardy fish. Local trick: watch for subtle mud clouds in shallow areas - that's usually tench rooting around below.
Lake Champlain