Lake Champlain United - Forums

Staying in Port Kent for the week. Have been out of Peru, Douglass and Willsboro DEC launches. Have an equipped 15'Whaler. Sonar, Trolling Motor, Downrigger and lead core. Looking for Landlocks and Whitefish. Can't seem to keep the Lakers off. Not really seeing what I expected for Salmon. The strong South wind has limited where I can go some. Fished around west side of Schuyler and Valcour. West side of Willsboro point too.
Any pointers would SURE be appreciated. FOW/Speed/General areas to check out. Thanks in advance! Joe

When fishing waters known to be infested with lake trout I set my gear 10' above the biggest marks on the graph. You will still catch them but I have found that is the best way to pick through them to catch a salmon. Avoid ANYTHING green for lures and troll 3-4 mph. I run wobblers or speedy shiners at that speed and if you are unsure of your lure of choice performance simply set it back 15-20 off the side of your boat out of any prop wash and check to be sure it swims alright.
Good luck!!!
Pat

West side of Skyler is one of the most prolific laker waters on the lake. Move into corlier bay between Skyler and NY and run the NY shore down to willsborough. Depending on bait run right into bay. Willsoborough point should work for salmon. Lakers like colder water and will typically be under salmon. BUT with the number of lakers we have they are all over the column these days. Smaller spoons and 2.4mph for salmon. Lakers love big spoons at 1.8mph.
Hope this helps.

Whitefish…. Well that is a rare catch for me. Usually 1-2 per 300 hrs of trolling so I can’t help much there:(

Have put over 300 salmon in the boat in 2025 so far. They are there but not as prolific as 5 years ago. And getting one over 7 pounds is a rare find these days.

Welcome aboard!

With strong winds out of the West tomorrow, am thrilled to 'run the NY shore'. Possible storm today got me off the water at2. Was at Ausable outlet out of Peru. Saw alot (debris?) in 30-60. Likely some fish but quite cluttered. Amazing spoons stayed clean. Very rough in my little boat!
Looking forward to any other comments. Wondering about range of FOW to stay within. Will look for bait to get a clue and zigzag.
Thanks Much to both of you. Reelax. Going with your plan in the AM.

Try to keep baiting under you and to do that you may need to be on 100+ fow. Setup Just above the 54-55 deg break line if you have a fishhawk. If not set lines just above the bait your seeing if it is high. Best bite was 20-30 down 49ft back over weekend for us. Also verticle blades with sets 8-10’ back fired well.

That stuff in front of the ausable was most likely bait and you were in a good area..

Good luck. Can’t wait for the sucesss story.

Reelax. As mentioned, new to Champlain & Salmon. Back home now in Central NY. Will be hitting Cayuga with what I've learned so far. Did along shore out of Douglass as you suggested. Saw lots of bait and a few solid marks near top of Willsboro Bay. Watched a tap via 2D vertical jigging there and stuffed bow of 15' Whaler 2X while spot locked so stopped that. No hits trolling various spoons and speeds. While very windy the whole trip, all in all a great time. Success story will have to wait. I'd get bored if it was too EZ . Appreciate the solid start here. Most helpful!