Ticonderoga Archives

Fourth of July Fishing Fireworks on Lake Champlain

A gentleman recently posted in a Facebook fishing group that he felt that several recent fishing tournaments on Lake Champlain had hurt the fishery. I respectfully disagree. I’ve just returned from a week of fishing with my family up at Lake Champlain, and the fishing was very consistent and fun.

Here’s a look at how we did. Hopefully it will be of some use to your own family, especially if you’re planning a fishing trip to Lake Champlain in July!

The Weather Conditions

We showed up on Saturday, July 1 after what had been a rainy few weeks in the North Country. I was pretty excited about this to be honest, as my Lund Impact can be tough to launch in the shallows at the house. While it’s not a big deal to go use the town launch down the street, with kids, it’s just easier if it works at home. I was hoping that the rain had sustained the lake at a level where I’d be able to get Penelope off her trailer, and (with some heavy pushing) it was.

It seems like the lake has finally normalized a bit since the droughts we saw a few years ago. Normally, I can at least use the dock if not the launch through about early August, and I think that will be the case this year.

The week ahead was the usual Champlain July doldrum of doom and gloom. The weather reports figured there’d be thunderstorms the entire week save Thursday. If I could give anyone reading this any advice: trust your smart phone radar. Not the report. The counties up north are enormous. A 50% shot of rain in Essex County still has a very good chance of missing you. You have to be smart and safe about it and keep an eye on things, but don’t cancel a trip just because of a lousy weather report.

July sunset over Lake Champlain — *The weather might have been crazy but it produced some amazing sunsets.*

The Lake Conditions

As stated the lake was of relatively normal water level of around ’95. The rain throughout the week actually brought it up a few inches which made retrieving the boat easier than launching it. If you’re familiar with the Crown Point area, it was possible to drift a deep v across the entire entrance to Putnam Creek, though I had to raise both motors to do it.

The water in the south was quite clear in many locations. The temperatures were consistently high. Everywhere from about 72 to 80 where we were fishing. Absolutely perfect temps for pickerel and largemouth bass as you’ll see, but northern pike were hard to come by.

The Techniques that Produced

Tristan and I fished hard for six straight days. He can cast on his own now, and he brought up his birthday baitcaster with him and was having a ball learning on it, so he wanted to fish spinnerbaits as much as possible. Much of the time, we casted them, but given that he’s still little (and was getting a little sore from all the fish we were catching) we did troll with spinnerbaits quite a bit as well. If you’re new to the technique, I wrote this article a few years back with some tips.

In addition to spinnerbaits, we also fished a lot of plastic worms, gulp, and frogs & buzzbaits at dusk. We didn’t spend much time at all with crankbaits or anything with a treble hook.

For the most part, we found the fish active and willing to hit a fast moving target. I’d estimate 85% of fish were caught on a variety of spinnerbaits. The #1 producer was a 1/2 ounce War Eagle Spinnerbait in white. We caught so many pickerel on these that I now have to completely restock as my supply was eventually hammered. They do hold up well but every lure has its limits. In any event, on Champlain, I’d argue these are some of the best spinnerbaits you can use. You should really pick up a few from that link I posted.

The Places We Fished on Lake Champlain

Here’s a look at a few general areas we fished hard. Some were productive and others were not. However, bear in mind, I’m a dad fishing with an 8-year-old. I’m looking for numbers and action and not necessarily “bigguns.” This blog post really is aimed more for the parent who is vacationing up there, so perhaps one of you pros would do better in these areas that we did, using different techniques.

Bulwagga Bay

Longtime blog readers will know that I love fishing Bulwagga Bay. It’s like a mini lake all in and of itself with all sorts of habitat for pretty much every species of fish the lake offers (at certain times of year that is). We started by fishing the western shore and had a few hits here and there. There were too many boats given the holiday weekend to set up a troll as I like to there, but Tristan managed a few good bass on spinnerbaits including this bruiser here.

We also invested some time on the eastern shore and found some huge bluegill and yellow perch along the various rock points that are on that side.

We did not spend much time in the south though there were some bass boats plugging away at the vegetation and they seemed focused on specific areas.

The Putnam Creek Delta

We spent a lot of time in the general area of Putnam Creek. Many chain pickerel came out of here. The bay just south of the creek is completely slopped over so you’re looking at frogs if you go deep. Spinnerbaits can be used along the edges but there aren’t as many fish.

While there are bass in this bay, I’ve really found it to be a major pickerel producing spot, which is why if you have kids with you and you want them to catch “something big” I recommend it. Unfortunately, that can make it a very frustrating spot to fish a frog. You can tell when a pickerel hits a frog as opposed to a bass because it almost attacks it like a dolphin sailing through the water whereas a bass has a giant localized “plop and boil.” You’re going to have to identify them this way because you sure won’t get many chances to reel one in. The way pickerel snatch a frog coupled with their bony mouths makes them very hard to hook. You will tear the heck out of your frogs trying, however.

Giard’s Bay

Per Google this is the spelling, but what do they know. This is the bay north of Yellow Lighthouse Point. I always try it for a spinnerbait trolling run or two, and I’m usually disappointed. This time was no different, but I mention it as a fishing report also ought to have what didn’t work. The reason I keep headed back here is I have caught some nice pike in the area. Pike and I have an abusive relationship where I’ll go fish a half dozen “memories” any given trip trying to find them.

Ticonderoga

We spent an entire day south near Ti. The area near the fort was the most productive, but we were so exhausted from casting the day prior that we mainly trolled the area just south of the fort to the La Chute River. It’s a challenging troll as the weed line takes some near 90 degree turns, but we caught a number of fish there including these nice crappie.

If you decided to troll this area, be very careful of the old pilings near the fort. One year my friend got both his outboard and his trolling motor caught on the rocks at the same exact time and it wasn’t fun! With trolling, you could easily collide with these if you didn’t know to look out for them, so I’d recommend finding them first and then avoiding trolling near them lest a hooked fish breaks your concentration.

White and black crappie caught on Lake Champlain — *These crappie came on the same troll in Ticonderoga near the fort. It was interesting to catch a white and black one more or less at the same time!*

Mill Bay

Since we had already made the trip down to Ti, we decided to head even further to Mill Bay. Now, I can’t fit my boat through the entrance to the actual bay itself, but we didn’t really want to go there anyway because it looked nearly dried out and choked with weeds. Instead, we fished the rip rap around the entrance for a bit. We mostly fished with drop shots and plastic worms, which produced a few bass, but not enough for us to stick around for long.

Of interest, there really weren’t any weeds to be found in this immediate area, which I found odd. To be fair, I don’t go there often enough to know if this is unusual, but if you’re looking for a weed pattern as we were, you wouldn’t find it there.

The Bay North of Stony Point

The bay just north of the paper mill on the NY side doesn’t have a name as far as I can tell. I’ve always called it “1000 Cast Bay” because it feels like it can take that many to cover all the water in it. It is, however, one of the better bays to troll. There’s a weedline that follows the contours on a humminbird fish finder very well and is almost shaped like a shallow “V.” While there’s weeds on either side of it, this is the edge of the heavy stuff and so as close as you can practically troll.

We lost what we believe to have been some larger pike while trolling, based on how hard they fought, but we also caught many bass. Tristan caught his personal best chain pickerel, this fine 25″ specimen. This would have been a VT Master Angler fish for an adult and blew the youth category out of the water.

25" Chain Pickerel caught on Lake Champlain — *This chain pickerel was an absolute beast.*

Other Photos

I had the pleasure to take my friend out with his children and their buddy alongside Tristan. If you ever hear someone say that bass boats are just as family friendly as Deep V’s, ask them if they could pull this off.

Note that literally every fish in this picture was landed from a drop shot with a simple nightcrawler. Most were caught on the same Ugly Stiks I’m always harping on you to buy. All were released safely after the photo.

*A squad of kids landing fish is what this blog is all about!*

Tristan and I went out the next day and continued to hammer them, bringing home a respectable limit of our own. Again, all fish were released safely after posing for a photo.

My New Favorite Family Photo

I wrote on Facebook that this is one of those photos I hope make it to my collage when I die. You can clearly see I’m exhausted in it, and am totally rocking the Dad-approved white New Balance sneakers that so many ladies give me such grief about, but in my view they make the photo.

Other Thoughts

This was one of those trips that reminded me just how good the fishing on this lake can be. While we didn’t catch a true giant bass, we had a few 4-pounders, which, to a kid, is dynamite. We also had no shortage of white perch and other panfish to target. I managed to put five different kids on fish throughout the week, some with minimal experience who were only four years old. It’s not every lake that you can do that this easily. So, while I respect the opinion of the gentleman who was concerned about all the recent fishing pressure, it didn’t hurt us.

I hope this helps someone headed up there soon!

Thanks,

John Paxton

Want to learn how to take your kids out fishing? Do you have a friend who might need a hand? Click the pictures below to purchase my helpful books!

How to Plan Your Next Lake Champlain Fishing Trip

As longtime readers of this blog know, I’ve had many a Lake Champlain fishing trip. For those who might not go quite as often as I do, I figured I’d provide some tips about the best time of year to fish Lake Champlain, where to catch certain fish, and a few “watch outs” you might not be aware of.

What is the Best Time of Year to Fish on Lake Champlain?

Don’t let the time of year dissuade you from planning your next fishing trip to Lake Champlain. There are plenty of fish to be caught year round, it just depends on how you like to fish. Many years, a good portion of the lake will freeze over and allow for ample ice fishing opportunities. For those of us who prefer to stay warm, you really can’t beat spring and fall on the lake. While summer can be a little tough given all the bass tournaments you’ll be competing with each weekend, it is the best time of year to visit the Adirondacks.

If you wanted to know the best time of year to catch a trophy fish on Lake Champlain, plan your fishing trip for late April or May. Most bass are going to be in the prespawn time during this time of year, making them quite large and gorging. The only issue is that bass season doesn’t start until mid-June, so make sure you catch and release.

Another great time of year to plan your Lake Champlain fishing trip is September. There aren’t nearly as many people out there sharing the water with you after Labor Day, and the fish start gorging for winter. This can be the best time of year to fish for northern pike on Lake Champlain.

If you’re planning on taking a fishing charter trip to Lake Champlain during these times, plan on booking a year in advance as they fill up quick!

A Note on Water Levels

One quick thing I do think I should mention – if you’re planning on bringing your boat on your trip to Champlain, consider the local water levels. While it isn’t a huge deal with most of the public launches, if you rent an Air BnB with a ramp, you may find you can’t use it after late July or so. This is because the water level dries up so much by that time of year.

The past few years there has been draught which has exacerbated this. Luckily, 2023 looks like its a more normal year, but definitely check out the conditions before you go. This website will tell you what the water levels are at any given time.

A Note on Hazards

Lake Champlain has a few hazards you should worry about especially if the water levels are low. While you should always get a good navigational chart when fishing an area you’re unfamiliar with (here is one for Lake Champlain), the three below should definitely be on your radar.

The Cribs at Ticonderoga

Just east of Fort Ticonderoga there are a few pilings that can become a major problem. The main issue is that they are the perfect distance between a boat’s trolling motor and main motor. Don’t ask me how I know this. Be careful when you’re in this area. Note these are marked on the navigational chart atlas I recommended you buy above.

The Hazards Guarding Bulwagga

There’s a very significant hazard that runs across the entrance to Bulwagga Bay. It is marked by buoys but these can be difficult to see in certain conditions. This hazard is a giant rock/crib formation that you definitely don’t want to hit at any speed. It is, however, a great fishing spot so long as you can practice solid boat control!

The Sand Bar

Every year, you read about at least a few boats getting stuck on the natural sand bar that extends from South Hero Island and Milton, VT. This is a natural formation that isn’t going anywhere and if you aren’t careful, you’re going to be paying for an expensive sea tow. Read more about the area here as it is near a cool park for the kids assuming you don’t ruin your fishing trip to Lake Champlain by beaching your boat!

Where is the Best Fishing on Lake Champlain?

This is a matter of contentious debate. For years, you’d see plenty of professional anglers blast out of Plattsburgh during a tournament only to make the long journey to Ticonderoga. This has changed somewhat in recent years, ironically probably due to those anglers bringing fish up from the south. There was a fascinating study done by the University of Vermont that looked at fish dispersal post tournament. The TLDR is that they never make their way back anywhere close to Ticonderoga after they get dragged up to Plattsburgh!

Perhaps as a result of this, more and more tournament anglers have been choosing to fish in the relatively close north rather than make the run down to Ticonderoga during tournaments.

Now, if you aren’t trying to fish a tournament, the question of where the best fishing on Lake Champlain is depends on what you’re after. To help you plan your next Lake Champlain fishing trip, in general, here’s where to look for different species:

Where to Fish for Largemouth Bass on Lake Champlain

The southern end of Lake Champlain is renowned for largemouth bass fishing, especially near Ticonderoga. I wrote an article breaking down where to fish near Ticonderoga, but really you can’t go wrong in that region. Find weedbeds and you will find largemouth bass. Basically anywhere south of the Crown Point bridge is considered largemouth territory. Some of the better places to start are the shallow bays outside of the three major creeks and several inlets in this region.

*There are some giant largemouth bass in Lake Champlain.*

Don’t forget to look in Bulwagga Bay, either. The southern end of the bay has all the makings of fine largemouth territory and is a major spawning bay. Here’s an article I wrote breaking down fishing Bulwagga Bay as well.

Where to Catch Smallmouth Bass on Lake Champlain

Smallmouth bass are more typically found in the northern regions of Lake Champlain than the south. This doesn’t mean you can’t catch a large number of them in the Crown Point and Ticonderoga regions, but you’re definitely going to find better “smallie” habitat to the north around Plattsburgh. You’ll find plenty of rocky shorelines in this area around the various islands that hold smallmouth year round. While these fish can be a little challenging to locate day to day, they do tend to school up so when you find one you’ll often find many more.

I’ve had some phenomenal days fishing for smallmouth near Rock Island near Westport as well. There are a few sunken humps out near this island as well as a fairly deep flat to the south of the island. I’ve had great luck chucking topwaters out in the area.

Where to Fish for Northern Pike on Lake Champlain

While you can catch northern pike anywhere on Lake Champlain, you’ll definitely find more in the cooler waters of the north than in the south. Frankly, having fished the south most of my life, pike have been almost a “bonus fish.” Yeah, you can run into a few of them now and then, but not like you can up in the Gut or near North or South Hero to the north.

If you have to fish in the south and want to find northerns, the bay just north of the Sylvamo Paper Mill is a pretty good bet on the north side. I’ve also found them due east of Fort Ticonderoga, almost near the breakwater south of the launch.

With that said, your by far better bet is to head north. If you need help finding some northern pike on your Lake Champlain fishing trip, consider giving Captain Mickey Maynard a call or at least stopping by his Facebook page for Lake Champlain Angler to see what I’m talking about.

Where to Catch Chain Pickerel on Lake Champlain

Chain pickerel are all over the place in Lake Champlain but definitely more prevalent south of the Crown Point bridge. Here, the water is shallower, warmer, and weedier in general than to the north, which makes it more pickerel territory than pike. Basically any weedy bay or flat in Crown Point or Ticonderoga is sure to hold some pickerel. You’ll tend to catch them at a significant rate vs. pike on this end of the lake.

One of my favorite ways to fish for chain pickerel in Lake Champlain is to troll for them. You can cover a ton of water and it works well with kids because you can time the troll around their lunch or when they need a break with a card game. It’s also a good way to put a little kid on a big fish before they can cast well.

*The southern end of Lake Champlain has some good sized chain pickerel.*

Where to Fish for Freshwater Drum / Sheepshead on Lake Champlain

There’s a fishing forum full of guys who focus on freshwater drum and sheepshead and they’re all launching out of Benson’s Landing and Larrabee’s to the south. Basically, you’re going to find these fish in concentration south of Ticonderoga along various rocky points.

I catch them as a byproduct fairly regularly in the Crown Point region and have seen some real monsters come out of the Vermont shoreline south of the bridge. However, I will state I don’t fish for them often and they just kind of show up, so I’d go south of Ticonderoga as the folks who are actually seeking this fish do.

Where to Catch Channel Catfish on Lake Champlain

The southern end of Lake Champlain is probably your better bet for giant channel catfish. I’ve caught them all over the place in the Crown Point and Ticonderoga region. Good lure choices include chicken liver, dead shiners, or even parts of hot dogs or kielbasa. It can help to offer these stinky baits upstream from whichever way the current is blowing the water. This will help take their scent to the cats.

Where to Fish for Lake Trout on Lake Champlain

Most guys fishing for Lake Trout on Lake Champlain are fishing the middle section of the lake, either launching from West Port, Willsboro, or the Burlington area. In summer, you’ll want to jig them up from the depths around structure or to troll for them. My son and I had a great time jigging for lakers with a famous charter captain on the lake – I definitely recommend it!

During early spring, you can catch lake trout closer to shore. Bulwagga Bay has a good number of boats targeting them and while dodging “the fleet” can be a chore, it can pay off.

Can you Eat Fish from Lake Champlain?

Yes, you can eat fish from Lake Champlain, but you need to be careful about how many you consume, especially if you are a woman of childbearing age or a child. However, it’s not so easy to figure out just how many you can eat. You see, Lake Champlain is bordered by two U.S. states and a Canadian province and none of them agree on how many fish are safe to eat. In general, New York thinks you’ll die if you so much as look at a fish, Vermont thinks you should take things in moderation, and Quebec is trying to kill you.

The chart below illustrates this difference. While there are sections of the lake separating NY and VT that a baseball could likely be hit upon, apparently there is something mystical that happens to the fish depending on what side you catch them. How else could one explain how Vermont thinks a kid can consume 5 bullhead each month while New York says none should be eaten? Quebec isn’t exactly far away from Vermont or New York, either, and look at the difference there.

Considering how litigious New York is compared to Vermont and Quebec, perhaps this shouldn’t be a surprise, but it’s an interesting phenomena all the same. Just one of the nifty consequences of being a Republic, I suppose.

chart showing what fish you can eat in Lake Champlain — *Number of fish one can eat from Lake Champlain per month. Information taken from Lake Champlain Basin Program.*

What Fishing License Do You Need to Fish Lake Champlain?

It can be tricky to determine what fishing license you need to fish Lake Champlain, because you might need as many as three, or as little as one, depending on where you intend to fish. While much of the lake is reciprocal between New York and Vermont, there is a large section north of Burlington that requires a Vermont license. This place has some outstanding fishing and many guides operate there.

Likewise, there is a tiny section (South Bay) where you must possess a NY license. If you’re headed up to Champlain chances are you aren’t planning on fishing this as it’s not the main draw, but some guys go for walleye in the area, so you may need it.

To make things even more confusing, most of Missisquoi Bay is in Quebec and requires a QC fishing license.

Your best bang for your buck is going to come by buying a Vermont fishing license as this allows access to the overwhelming majority of Lake Champlain. The only exceptions being South Bay in New York, and part of Missisquoi Bay in Quebec. Most though not all of the rivers people like to fish are also going to be in Vermont (East Creek in Ticonderoga and Otter Creek in Vergennes being the prime examples).

This site has a good map that breaks down what regions require what license. Just note that we’re only talking the main lake here – not the tributaries as well.

What About the Children?

Finally, bear in mind that your kids may not need a license, depending on their age. This gets a little confusing as VT requires kids 15 and up to have a fishing license while NY allows 16 year olds to fish without one. I’m not sure how that would be interpreted in reciprocal waters, so be sure to check with local police.

What Fishing Lures Work Well on Lake Champlain?

The best fishing lures to use on Lake Champlain depends on what you’re going for, however here are some of my favorite that work well for bass and even northern pike.

The spinnerbait is a great lure for Lake Champlain once the water temperatures reach around 60°F or so. These work well anywhere that you can find submerged vegetation that isn’t so thick you can’t get a lure through. My favorite color spinnerbait for Lake Champlain used to be chartreuse, but the past few years, white has been the ticket. Try one by War Eagle — it’s been my favorite the past few years.
Jerkbaits are wonderful lures on Lake Champlain in early spring. Really, they work year round if you can find an area you can get them through. There’s just so many weeds in the summer that it gets tough. An X-Rap in size 10 works very well. Clown seems to be the best color around the lake.
Early in the year, a cherry craw colored Rat-L-Trap will catch just about anything as evidenced by this post.
Senkos are always a good choice, especially on Lake Champlain south of the bridge. I usually throw something in green pumpkin with whatever flake (purple, red) they have at the store.
Frogs are outstanding around July, especially south of the Crown Point bridge. There’s so much matted milfoil at this time that frogs can really be your best chance at catching a big summer bass. My tackle box is full of the Spro Bronzeye Frogs.

Where Can I Take My Family Besides Fishing on My Trip to Lake Champlain?

There is at least some chance that your family may want to do some things other than fishing during your next trip to Lake Champlain. Luckily, there’s plenty to do. Here are a few ideas I love:

Burlington is a fun choice with the Echo Aquarium featuring local wildilfe and some nice restaurants for lunch.
The Shelbourne Museum isn’t that great of an idea for little kids, but your wife or girlfriend will love it.
Fort Ticonderoga has a little bit of everything for everyone. It’s a great destination around July 4th as they often have live events.
If you have a passport and want to have Canadians roll their eyes at you, Parc Safari is a great destination as well. I will admit, however, that this one was more fun as a kid than when I returned as an adult.

Conclusions – Have Fun Planning Your Lake Champlain Fishing Trip!

I hope this article was helpful to you in planning your next fishing trip to Lake Champlain. You might also find the following articles useful:

Also, bear in mind that most of the tips and tricks in the books below my signature were learned while fishing Lake Champlain. You may want to check them out! Go ahead and click on either picture to buy them.

Thanks,

John Paxton

Want to learn how to take your kids out fishing? Do you have a friend who might need a hand? Click the pictures below to purchase my helpful books!

How to Catch Fish Near Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain

Every tournament angler who launches their boat from Plattsburgh, NY on Lake Champlain has to make a decision. Do they chase smallmouth up north, or make the 90 minute boat drive down to try and catch a limit of fish near Ticonderoga? When you think about it, this travel time means committing to fishing Ticonderoga essentially means spotting other anglers an extra day over the course of a four day tournament. Yet every year, many tournament anglers do just this, because the fishing around Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain can be amazing.

What Makes Ticonderoga Such a Great Fishery?

While Lake Champlain in general is a tremendous fishery, there are a number of factors that make fishing the Ticonderoga area exceptional. Ticonderoga comes from the Indian word for “junction between two waterways” (source) and this means you have two great river mouths right next to each other. There is the La Chutte river in New York, and East Creek in Vermont. Both of these tend to stack bass up just like any other creek mouth would at certain times of the year.

Additionally, there is a deep channel that runs close by expansive spawning flats that are near both of these creek mouths. This provides fish refuge during the summer, and also allows species that appreciate the presence of nearby deeper water (like northern pike) to have a place to call home.

Further, there is a variety of habitat and cover for fish to hide and hunt in. As mentioned, there are tons of weed beds, spawning flats, and creek mouths, but there are also rocky shorelines and points for pre-spawn fish to stage on, and sunken timbers and other reefs that hold fish year round.

Regardless of what type of fish you’re trying to catch, or how you like to catch them, Ticonderoga has some sort of fishing for you.

The Best Fishing Spots on Lake Champlain Near Ticonderoga, NY

I’ve taken the liberty to use Google Maps to show you several good fishing spots on Lake Champlain near Ticonderoga, NY. These are all spots I’ve personally fished and can attest to, but don’t take my word for it. Just try and go there on a busy Saturday and actually be the only boat near any one of these – it’s not happening!

Let’s break down the fishing near Ticonderoga, NY one by one as it relates to this map.

Map of fishing spots near Ticonderoga, NY on Lake Champlain. — *A map of some outstanding fishing spots near Ticonderoga, NY on Lake Champlain.*

The Breakwater Near the Ticonderoga Boat Launch (1)

Just south of the Ticonderoga boat launch and ferry is a large breakwater. This can be a god send on a windy day as one side or the other is usually sheltered. It’s a popular place to fish, so you’ll want to get there early if you want the best spots.

Both sides of this breakwater drop off into the channel of about 20′ of water. There is a pronounced weed line before you get there on each side. This makes it a very good location to catch northern pike. Additionally, the point of the breakwater can act as a great ambush point that can stack bass and other species waiting for some unwary prey to move across it. Try poking around with a jig or jerkbait in this area.

The Shoreline Along Ft. Ticonderoga’s Eastern Shore (2)

This is a dangerous area as it has some hazards that are marked on most maps. Unfortunately, the hazards (underwater cribs) are just the perfect distance between an outboard motor and trolling motor (ask me how I know). If you aren’t careful, you can badly damage your boat. I would highly recommend that you get a good navigational chart and take it easy in this location. With that said, these same motor killers can hold some of the larger fish in Ticonderoga. I had a huge northern break me off near one years ago.

Spawning Flat Near East Creek (3)

Just north of East Creek is a large flat that covers up densely with weeds each summer. It makes for a decent spawning bay before this happens. Afterwards, it is a tremendous place to throw frogs all year round for largemouth bass. It is impossible to fish near Ticonderoga without seeing a few bass boats poking around in this region. The ample cover near deep water and a creek mouth combine for some amazing fishing.

East Creek (4)

East Creek itself makes for a great fishing trip. Just make sure that you have a VT license, as you’ll need it to fish this area near Ticonderoga. It can be a little challenging to navigate into the creek as beaver tend to like to make some large structures at the first bend. Once you get in, you have more room to maneuver. My ex-wife and I spent an enjoyable day fishing this area and caught a number of fish in the habitat. Just be careful as some people have a bad habit of driving too fast around the corners when there isn’t a lot of room for error.

Largemouth bass can be found in this creek year round, and folks claim huge northerns prowl it early in the year, though I’ve yet to catch one there at that time.

Catfish Bay (5)

Catfish Bay is the bay directly west from Mt. Independence, Vermont. Despite it’s name, I’ve yet to catch a catfish there. What it does have, and in large numbers, are northern pike. Toss spinnerbaits along the weed edges in this bay and hold on. I’ve also found this bay produces bowfin.

Do note that this bay gets quite shallow close to land. I’ve had better luck fishing the outside weed edge which is near the drop off. Northerns really appreciate a good deep water weed line to cruise, which can add to your success.

The Railroad Tracks (6)

You can’t drive up 22N past Ticonderoga without seeing someone out fishing near the railroad tracks that follow the water. These tracks have the same rip rap cover that are so productive throughout the lake, and there are cribs and fallen woods to add to the allure. Throw in some weed beds and you have prime habitat for largemouth bass and chain pickerel. You’ll be able to pick out the cover easy enough – it’s obvious – but don’t be afraid to throw around into areas that aren’t so obvious as well.

Mouth of the La Chute River (7)

The Mouth of the La Chute River holds fish like any other creek mouth. The water is crisp and clear which is a good transition from the stained water in most of the area. During periods of high water, such as early spring, it is possible to go far up in the mouth and even explore the large bay/marsh on the western/northern side. You’ll find many people stack up trying to catch panfish in this region year round.

Note that as you go into the La Chute River, you’ll eventually come to a railroad bridge. Wherever you can find such structure on the lake, you’ll find fish. My Dad always used to get excited to fish the railroad bridge in Putnam Creek right after a train passed as he said that this knocked bugs into the water and put fish into feeding mode. I don’t know how much truth there is to this, but it is worth a shot.

Just be aware that you will need a NY license to fish the La Chute River. VT won’t cut it.

Spawning Bay South of Ft. Ticonderoga (8)

This is another one of those spots where you’re sure to have company. It is definitely a popular place to fish near Ticonderoga, as there are plenty of bass and chain pickerel mulling around. I like to toss spinnerbaits and other semi-weedless lures in this area seeking a reaction bite. It can also be beneficial to toss out a Senko near little pockets of weeds as you would any other spawning bay.

The closer you get to the La Chute River, the better your chances of finding some clear water. However, this will also mean the water is quite cold early in the year and you may need to slow things down.

The area in front of Ft. Ticonderoga is a great place to fish on Lake Champlain. — *The shoreline near Ft. Ticonderoga provides good fishing and a great view.*

What Lures Work Well to Fish the Ticonderoga Area?

Pretty much anything that works well in Lake Champlain is going to work well in Ticonderoga. Just be mindful that as part of the southern end of the lake, it is considerably more stained than in the north. White has always been a great color, but I really prefer something with chartreuse in it for southern Lake Champlain. Lately, I’ve been on a real kick using War Eagle Spinnerbaits as they run true and have good durability.

Black is also great in this area given how well it contrasts. This helps fish find it easier, especially on days with overcast clouds.

You’ll find plenty of people using spinnerbaits, jigs, and the usual Senkos in Ticonderoga. It all depends what you’re after. I’ve found that this section of lake has more numerous pike than others south of the Crown Point Bridge. Keep this in mind when you’re tossing lures as you might need to replace a few.

Special Considerations When Fishing the Ticonderoga Area of Lake Champlain

If you’re planning your first fishing trip to the Ticonderoga area, there are a few things to be aware of. In no particular order:

This is a very popular and busy ramp. You may want to get there early to secure parking.
Additionally, this is a VERY popular and busy tournament ramp. You may want to check local clubs for their schedules.
The ramp has employees throughout much of the year who will check your boat for aquatic invasives, so show up dry and clean.
There are some submerged hazards as discussed above. In addition to the cribs I’ve mentioned, there’s also a ferry cable you need to be aware of when fishing near it.
This is an extremely pressured part of the lake. While you can absolutely kill it when you locate fish, they are going to be more spooky than some less pressured fish.