Lake Champlain United - Forums

Heading up later this week to fish the inland sea. Will be targeting salmon but hopeful to play with other fishes including freshwater drum. I have caught them incidentally but never targeted them. For this time of year any suggested type of location, food sources, movements, etc?

In the past while diving, I do recall seeing them stacked at the edge of a ledge but that was in July

It doesn't get better than this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zza2NPoPDvc

Thanks, and yes, I had seen that video. About 20 years ago, when I was a bass fisherman, I remember catching one on a small tube. At the time, I had no clue what it was but then saw more in the water swimming around. Did a dive later that week and saw them all. Had to look them up when I got home. Never really targeted them again after that. I'll be bringing some jig heads and different baits. Basically my tog gear I used in saltwater.

Or this one caught in the broad lake in summer...

https://youtu.be/J7Fe7rnm2Cg

NHangler, check out the April 23 VT Fishing Report, it had some tips on freshwater drum at this time of year:

https://vtfishandwildlife.com/vt-fishin ... il-23-2021

In springtime they recommend looking for them around rocks/ledges where there's current and use a lipless crankbait or jig with a blade bait. The report talks about south of the Crown Point bridge, not sure if the IS is a good place to find them in spring or not.

Personally I have never targeted them but have caught them trolling with crankbaits later in the year. Apparently their diet changes from mostly mussels/invertebrates in spring, to mostly fish sometime around August so they become easier to catch trolling later on in the year.

Good luck, would love to hear a report of your drum fishing !