Fishing & Boating Accesses
There are many designated Fish and Wildlife Accesses available to launch a boat, kayak or canoe or just cast a line.
These accesses make it easy for everyone to enjoy the lake, but only when used appropriately. Please follow the posted rules for use, and be sure to clean your boat before and after launching to prevent against the spread of invasive species!
For more information, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com
This handy guide to fishing and boating access areas includes location and which activities are allowed.
These accesses make it easy for everyone to enjoy the lake, but only when used appropriately. Please follow the posted rules for use, and be sure to clean your boat before and after launching to prevent against the spread of invasive species!
For more information, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com
This handy guide to fishing and boating access areas includes location and which activities are allowed.
Alburgh
Dillenbeck Bay Access Area Boating, Fishing Route 2 Horicans Access Area Boating, Fishing West Shore Road Kelly Bay Access Area Boating, Fishing Route 2 Korean War Veteran’s Access Area Fishing Route 2 at the bridge to New York Mud Creek Pond Access Area Fishing Route 78 Grand Isle Ed Weed Access Area Fishing West Shore Road Vantines Access Area Boating, Fishing West Shore Road Isle la Motte Holcomb Bay Access Area Boating, Fishing Quarry Road Stoney Point Boating, Fishing West Shore Road |
North Hero
Kings Bay Access Area Boating, Fishing Lakeview Drive North Hero Causeway Access Area Fishing Bridge Road Stephenson Point Access Area Boating, Fishing North End Road West South Hero Allen Point Access Area Fishing Allen Point Road John Guilmette Access Area Boating, Fishing Featherbed Lane Keeler Bay Access Area Boating, Fishing Route 2 Swanton Babbie Access Area Boating, Fishing Route 7 Entry to the Missisquoi River Charcoal Creek Access Area Fishing Route 78 Larry Greene Access Area Boating, Fishing Route 78 Tabor Point Access Area Boating, Fishing Hog Island Road |
Fishing the Lake Champlain Islands
The Lake Champlain Islands offer outstanding fishing for anglers off all types from serious sport fishermen and women to the child casting their first line and everything in between.
Fishing licenses
Licenses are required for adult anglers. Children 14 and under may fish for free, while youth 15-17 qualify for a special license. Licenses are available through a link a www.vtfishandwildlfie.com/fish
A license for one, three or seven days, a year, or five years.
Free fishing days
No license is needed for Vermont’s free fishing days on the second Saturdays in January and June.
What you can catch in the summer months:
Trout and Landlocked Salmon are always in season on Lake Champlain and from April 10 to Oct. 31 elsewhere in the state.
Small and Largemouth Bass are in season June 12 to Nov. 30.
Walleye are in season May 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022.
Rainbow Smelt, Pickerel, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch are always in season.
Where to fish
For northern Lake Champlain, the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife highly recommends the Korean War Veterans Access in Alburgh. There are approximately 90 species of fish available in Lake Champlain. The species you will find at this access include: yellow perch, white perch, bluegill sunfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass, rock bass, brown bullhead, and northern pike.
Panfish, such as bluegill and perch, along with bass and northern pike are abundant in the spring and early summer.
Fish and Wildlife also recommends Grand Isle State Park, which it describes as a great location to catch “smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, landlocked Atlantic salmon, steelhead rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, common carp, freshwater drum, bowfin, walleye and panfish species such as perch, crappie, bluegill, rock bass and pumpkinseed.”
At the park, the department recommends looking for submerged vegetation, underwater rock piles and steep drop-offs and casting your line there. Docks, floating platforms, and anchored boats also make good fishing spots. To catch fish that prefer deeper waters, like trout and salmon, you will have to head in a boat.
Lures and rigs to use in Lake Champlain
Using live bait, such as a minnow or worm with a bobber on your line, will attract a variety of fish species, according to the experts at Vermont Fish and Wildlife. They recommend varying the depth of your bait until the fish begin biting.
-Spinnerbaits, plastic worms and minnow-imitating plugs can also be useful.
-Aggressive feeders will strike at topwater plugs. Use one to see if you can get an explosive reaction.
-Learn more about fishing lures and equipment at www.vtfishandwildlfie.com/fishing-basics
I caught a fish. Now what?
Once again, the Department of Fish and Wildlife has you covered. They offer videos showing how to clean a variety of common species at www.vtfishandwildlfie.com/fish/fishing-basics/keeping-your-catch
The department also provides links to websites with recipes and tips for cooking salmon, trout, pan fish and more.
It is considered safe to eat fish from Lake Champlain, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. However, if you would rather release your fish, use hooks without barbs and remove it as gently as possible, while keeping the fish in water. If the hook is in the gills, stomach, or throat leave the hook in the fish, as it will rust and drop off in a few months.
Boating in Vermont
Any boat with a motor operating in Vermont needs to be registered with the state, which can be done through the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.
All boaters born after Jan. 1, 1974 must pass a boater safety course and carry a registration card.
Boats should be cleaned when being moved between water bodies to slow the spread of invasive species. This includes:
Removing any mud, plants or animals from not only the boat itself, but also the trailer. Be sure to dispose of the material where it will not wash into a waterway.
Draining all water from the boat and other equipment.
Drying the boat after washing it with hot water under high pressure. If a pressure wash is not available, the boat should be dried in the sun for at least five days, after being cleaned.
For more on fishing in Vermont, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com/fish.
Fishing licenses
Licenses are required for adult anglers. Children 14 and under may fish for free, while youth 15-17 qualify for a special license. Licenses are available through a link a www.vtfishandwildlfie.com/fish
A license for one, three or seven days, a year, or five years.
Free fishing days
No license is needed for Vermont’s free fishing days on the second Saturdays in January and June.
What you can catch in the summer months:
Trout and Landlocked Salmon are always in season on Lake Champlain and from April 10 to Oct. 31 elsewhere in the state.
Small and Largemouth Bass are in season June 12 to Nov. 30.
Walleye are in season May 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022.
Rainbow Smelt, Pickerel, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch are always in season.
Where to fish
For northern Lake Champlain, the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife highly recommends the Korean War Veterans Access in Alburgh. There are approximately 90 species of fish available in Lake Champlain. The species you will find at this access include: yellow perch, white perch, bluegill sunfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass, rock bass, brown bullhead, and northern pike.
Panfish, such as bluegill and perch, along with bass and northern pike are abundant in the spring and early summer.
Fish and Wildlife also recommends Grand Isle State Park, which it describes as a great location to catch “smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, landlocked Atlantic salmon, steelhead rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, common carp, freshwater drum, bowfin, walleye and panfish species such as perch, crappie, bluegill, rock bass and pumpkinseed.”
At the park, the department recommends looking for submerged vegetation, underwater rock piles and steep drop-offs and casting your line there. Docks, floating platforms, and anchored boats also make good fishing spots. To catch fish that prefer deeper waters, like trout and salmon, you will have to head in a boat.
Lures and rigs to use in Lake Champlain
Using live bait, such as a minnow or worm with a bobber on your line, will attract a variety of fish species, according to the experts at Vermont Fish and Wildlife. They recommend varying the depth of your bait until the fish begin biting.
-Spinnerbaits, plastic worms and minnow-imitating plugs can also be useful.
-Aggressive feeders will strike at topwater plugs. Use one to see if you can get an explosive reaction.
-Learn more about fishing lures and equipment at www.vtfishandwildlfie.com/fishing-basics
I caught a fish. Now what?
Once again, the Department of Fish and Wildlife has you covered. They offer videos showing how to clean a variety of common species at www.vtfishandwildlfie.com/fish/fishing-basics/keeping-your-catch
The department also provides links to websites with recipes and tips for cooking salmon, trout, pan fish and more.
It is considered safe to eat fish from Lake Champlain, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. However, if you would rather release your fish, use hooks without barbs and remove it as gently as possible, while keeping the fish in water. If the hook is in the gills, stomach, or throat leave the hook in the fish, as it will rust and drop off in a few months.
Boating in Vermont
Any boat with a motor operating in Vermont needs to be registered with the state, which can be done through the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.
All boaters born after Jan. 1, 1974 must pass a boater safety course and carry a registration card.
Boats should be cleaned when being moved between water bodies to slow the spread of invasive species. This includes:
Removing any mud, plants or animals from not only the boat itself, but also the trailer. Be sure to dispose of the material where it will not wash into a waterway.
Draining all water from the boat and other equipment.
Drying the boat after washing it with hot water under high pressure. If a pressure wash is not available, the boat should be dried in the sun for at least five days, after being cleaned.
For more on fishing in Vermont, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com/fish.