Night Bowfishing on Lake Champlain
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Nighttime bowfishing for Gar, Bowfin, Carp, and Drum speciesCaptain Seth provides expert guidance and technique instructionHalf-day weekend trips accommodate up to six guests
When the sun drops behind the Green Mountains and darkness settles over Lake Champlain, that's when Captain Seth fires up the lights and the real action begins. This half-day guided bowfishing trip puts you right in the thick of Vermont's hottest nocturnal fishing scene, where rough fish rule the shallows and your bow skills get put to the test. We're talking about a completely different kind of fishing here – no waiting around for bites, no wondering if something's down there. With our high-powered LED arrays lighting up the water, you'll spot your targets cruising just below the surface and it's game on.
Captain Seth knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll position the boat in prime locations where carp, gar, and other rough fish love to feed after dark. The setup is pretty sweet – we've got bowfishing platforms that give you a stable shooting area, plus lighting systems that turn night into day underwater. You'll see fish moving around that you never knew were there during regular daylight fishing. The whole vibe is different from your typical angling trip. Instead of casting and waiting, you're actively hunting, drawing your bow, and making precision shots. Seth will coach you through proper form, help you gauge refraction in the water, and get you dialed in on distance. Most folks are amazed at how quickly they pick up the rhythm once they get a few shots under their belt.
We provide all the bowfishing equipment you need – recurve bows, arrows with barbed tips, retrieval reels, and safety gear. The arrows are attached to heavy line so you don't lose your shot, and Seth will show you how the retrieval system works before you start shooting. Bowfishing arrows are heavier than regular hunting arrows and designed specifically for penetrating water and holding onto fish. The key technique here is aiming low – water refraction makes fish appear higher than they actually are, so you'll need to compensate. Seth teaches a simple rule of thumb that works for most shooting distances we encounter on Champlain. The bow draw weight is manageable for most adults, and we've got different setups if you're bringing kids along. Night shooting adds another layer since you're working with artificial light, but that's part of what makes this style of fishing so addictive.
Alligator Gar are the trophy fish that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. These prehistoric-looking beasts can stretch over four feet in Champlain and they're absolutely built like tanks. They cruise the shallows at night looking for baitfish, and when you spot that long snout and armored body under the lights, your heart rate definitely kicks up a notch. Gar are tough to penetrate with an arrow, so shot placement is critical. They fight hard once you stick them, and landing a big gar is something you'll be talking about for years. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall when water temperatures are warmest.
Common Carp might not have the glamour of gar, but they're fantastic bowfishing targets and incredibly abundant in Champlain. These fish can weigh 20 pounds or more, and they're constantly moving and feeding in the shallows during night hours. Carp are smart and spooky, so stealth becomes important when you're getting into position for a shot. They'll scatter fast if they detect the boat, but Seth knows how to work the wind and current to get you close. What makes carp special is their size and the fact that you'll typically see multiple fish at once, giving you plenty of shooting opportunities throughout the night.
Bowfin are hands-down one of the coolest species we target on these trips. They're native to Champlain and they've got this ancient, almost prehistoric appearance with their long dorsal fin and olive-green coloration. Bowfin are aggressive predators and they're not afraid of the boat lights – sometimes they'll actually move toward the illumination to hunt smaller fish. They average 3-8 pounds in our waters, but their body shape makes them challenging targets since they're deeper-bodied than gar. Bowfin season peaks in summer months when they're most active in shallow water areas.
Tench are probably the least known species on our target list, but they're gaining popularity with serious bowfishers. These European natives have established solid populations in Champlain, and they're beautiful fish with golden-olive sides and thick bodies. They tend to move slower than carp, making them good targets for beginners still working on their accuracy. Tench prefer weedy areas and soft bottoms where they root around for food, and night fishing puts you right in their feeding zone. They're strong fighters for their size and make excellent table fare if you're looking to keep some fish.
Black Drum round out our species list and they're becoming more common in the southern sections of Champlain. These fish have distinctive barbels under their chin and they're bottom-oriented feeders, but they'll move into surprisingly shallow water at night. Drum can get heavy – we've seen them over 15 pounds – and they're built solid. They're methodical movers, not darting around like carp, which gives you time to set up your shot properly. When you connect with a big drum, you know it immediately because they pull hard and don't give up easily.
Captain Seth runs these bowfishing trips on weekends throughout the prime season, and spots fill up fast once word gets around about how good the action is. Six anglers max per trip means everyone gets plenty of shooting opportunities without crowding the platform. No fishing license required for rough fish species, and we provide all the specialized gear you need. Just bring weather-appropriate clothing and be ready for a completely different kind of fishing adventure. Lake Champlain's night bowfishing scene is absolutely world-class, and there's no
The RVGS Motorboat Model 2000 gives you and five other anglers the perfect platform for bowfishing Lake Champlain's productive waters. This sturdy motorboat handles the lake's conditions with ease while you target gar, bowfin, carp, and other species that cruise these waters. The built-in fish finder helps locate schools and individual fish lurking below the surface, while GPS navigation keeps you oriented on the expansive lake. With plenty of deck space for shooting and maneuvering, everyone gets clear sight lines when those prime targets appear. The boat's reliable construction means you can focus on your aim and technique rather than worrying about your ride. Whether you're new to bowfishing or looking to improve your skills, this setup gives you the stable shooting platform needed to connect with Lake Champlain's diverse fish population during those productive evening hours.
Atractosteus SpatulaThese prehistoric giants are the ultimate bow fishing challenge - reaching 4-6 feet and over 100 pounds with armor-like scales and razor-sharp teeth. They look intimidating but are actually pretty passive around people. What makes them special is they can breathe air and water, so you'll spot them surfacing in deep river bends near shallow areas. Late summer during hot, dry spells gives you the best shot at finding them. Guests love targeting gar because of their massive size and ancient appearance - it's like shooting a living dinosaur. Here's my go-to tip: look for them in that sweet spot where deep water meets the shallows, especially around dawn when they're cruising just under the surface.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruisers of bow fishing - powerful, dark-colored fish that can hit 30 pounds or more with crushing jaws built for eating shellfish. They're part of the croaker family and actually make drumming sounds underwater. You'll find them in brackish areas and shallow muddy flats, especially around structure where they hunt crabs and mollusks. Spring during spawning season is your best bet when they school up in shallower water. Guests love drum because they're big, strong fighters that really test your shooting skills. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are also great eating. My tip: focus on those muddy flats near deeper water during incoming tides. They cruise these areas looking for food and are easier to spot in the shallower zones.
Amia CalvaBowfin are living fossils that survived since the Jurassic era - tough, aggressive fighters that can breathe both air and water. Females get up to 30 inches while males stay around 18-24 inches, and you can spot males by the yellow ring near their tail. They love thick vegetation in marshes and backwater areas where other fish can't survive. Night fishing is prime time since they're most active after dark. Guests get fired up about bowfin because they put up an amazing fight and you're literally catching a prehistoric fish. Fair warning though - they've got sharp teeth and aren't shy about using them. My advice: target the heaviest weed beds you can find. That's where they ambush prey, and the thick cover makes them less spooky.
Cyprinus CarpioCarp are the workhorses of bow fishing - stocky, golden-brown fish that average 15-30 inches and can hit 20+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with barbels like whiskers that help them hunt for food in murky water. You'll find them in the shallows during spring and fall when they're feeding aggressively, then they move to 8-12 feet deep in summer. What guests love about carp is their incredible fight - they thrash hard and don't quit easily. Plus they're everywhere in the lake, so you're almost guaranteed action. My local trick: watch for muddy water where they're rooting around on the bottom. That tells you exactly where to aim, and they're usually too focused on feeding to notice you coming.
Tinca TincaTench are the sneaky targets - small-scaled, yellow-olive fish that most anglers overlook but bow fishers love for the challenge. They typically run 16 inches and 4-5 pounds, though big females can hit 15 pounds. These bottom feeders hang in shallow, muddy areas with lots of weeds, using their barbels to hunt snails and insects. May through June is prime time when they move to warm shallows to spawn. What makes tench special is they're incredibly hardy - they can survive in low-oxygen water that would kill other fish. Guests enjoy the puzzle of finding them since they're picky and elusive. Here's what works: look for slight water movement in muddy, weedy areas. Once you find a good spot, be patient and don't get too close or you'll spook them.
Lake Champlain