Isle La Motte / Rock Pointon Lake Champlain
What's working on Lake Champlain
- 01Baetis hatches are actively occurring from late September through October, providing consistent dry fly and nymphing opportunities.
- 02Predatory species like salmon, lake trout, walleye, pike, and bass are actively feeding on baitfish and other larger prey.
- 03Bottom-dwelling species such as carp, perch, and panfish are still accessible and can be targeted with nymphs and smaller streamers.
- 04Focus your efforts around submerged structures, weed beds, and transition zones where baitfish are likely to congregate.
- 05Anglers should also consider deeper water trolling for active salmon and lake trout, especially in areas with varied bottom contours.
What to tie on at Isle La Motte / Rock Point
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Gurgler
Smallmouth Bass are actively feeding on the surface during summer, and this popper creates an enticing disturbance that triggers aggressive strikes.
Buy at AmazonScud
Freshwater shrimp (scuds) are a consistent food source in Lake Champlain's aquatic vegetation year-round, making this a reliable subsurface pattern.
Buy at AmazonPerch Pattern
Yellow Perch are a primary forage base in Champlain. In winter, juvenile perch congregate in deep water, and a slow-stripped or jigged perch imitation is a high-confidence trigger for predatory Lake Trout and larger Walleye.
Balanced Leech
Leeches are a year-round protein source in Lake Champlain. The balanced design allows the fly to sit horizontally under a slip indicator or when jigged vertically through the ice, staying in the strike zone longer for cold-sluggish fish.
Buy at AmazonElk Hair Caddis
With Black Caddis and Cinnamon Caddis becoming active in mid-May, a tan or olive Elk Hair Caddis is a superb imitation for adult caddis, drawing aggressive strikes from various species.
Buy at AmazonCrappie Jig Fly
Effective in spring when Crappie, Walleye, and other Panfish spawn around structure and emerging weed beds. Its profile imitates small baitfish or invertebrates.
Buy at AmazonDamsel Nymph (Olive)
Damsel nymphs become active in late spring as they migrate towards shore to hatch. This olive pattern is effective when stripped slowly along weed beds and can attract Bass, Walleye, and Panfish.
Perch Pattern
Lakes and stillwaters where perch are present offer prime opportunities in early spring for predatory fish like Walleye, Northern Pike, and Pickerel, which actively prey on young-of-year perch.
March Brown Dry
March Browns are actively hatching from mid-May to the end of the month on Lake Champlain, making this a primary dry fly for rising trout and opportunistic salmon.
Vermont season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.