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LakeChamplainAngler.com
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The Lake Champlain ice fishing season usually begins around early December when bays and passages on the north end of the lake first freeze. Fishermen gather at some of these early spots like the Veterans' Memorial Bridge connecting Rouses Point, New York and Alburg, Vermont. Other early spots include Missisquoi Bay, the bridge at Hog Island, and Kings and Catfish Bays on the New York side. Keep in mind that the best fishing occurs on newly frozen areas, so wise anglers will follow the ice as it progresses. All of these spots will freeze before the adjacent broad lake, creating excellent perch fishing conditions. Of course care should be taken when fishing on the relatively thin ice in these circumstances. As the colder weather sets in the ice makes its way south. Some of the next good areas to consider include the bridge at Isle La Motte and the cliffs at Alburg. By this time Monty's Bay with its several holding areas and Deep Bay at the Point Au Roche State Park are heating up. On the Vermont side the "Gut" is now holding fish too. By the time Algonquin Bay is frozen on the new York side most of the lake north of Malletts Bay has closed on the Vermont side as well. Areas to the south like the narrows at Ti, Bulwagga Bay, Port Henry, and Whalons Bay also begin to freeze at about the same time. Converse and Arnold Bays are now worth checking on the Vermont side. Many of the spots mentioned thus far are good perch or pike locations. As the deeper water freezes, the smelt fishing heats up. Port Henry, Westport and Willsboro Bay are all good smelt fishing locations. Shanties are available for rent out of Port Henry and Westport and at Port Henry a taxi operates to usher the fishermen on and off the ice or from one to another of the numerous shantie towns that cluster over the hot spots. If cold weather persists, the lake on occasion will close over at its deepest and widest spot, between Burlington and Port Kent. When this happens everybody's favorite spot is open for business. Plattsburgh Bay is a popular spot among perch fishermen but there remains a 50 perch limit due to PCBs and in spite of the major clean up effort of the past few years. Areas around Valcour Island, accessed from Peru Dock, can also be productive. The sand bottom south of the lower mouth of the Au Sable River is a good area to fish for salmon and big perch. Willsboro Bay is also a good location for these species. On the Vermont side, Shelburn and Mallett's Bay are great spots to pursue big perch and salmon. As many fishermen know, one could catch just about any specie of fish in the lake at most of these locations mentioned. These are some general areas to assist the ice fisherman in getting started. For more tips click here. |
Ice Fishing Articles Captain Mick's latest Ice-Fishing Articles Published in the Press Republican's Outdoors NORTH, winter 2014 issue Captain Mick quoted in Mary Thill's Adirondack Life Blog post Captain Mick quoted in the All Points North article by Claire Durham Ice Fishing Links |
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Ice Fishing Tips
Ice fishing tips |
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Ice Fishing Gallery
Ice fishing photos |
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Guided Ice Fishing
Ice fishing guides, and shanty and equipment rentals |
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