1st Champlain trip

[bigbassmon]

Hi Guys
A buddy and myself are making the run to do a couple days first week of May to the lake. Was hoping to find lodging at Ti, but not a chance so staying in Plattsburg. Anyway, we are hoping to tackle some largies since I have easy access to the St. Lawrence and Lake O, so smallies are easily available soon. I know the north end is predominently smallies so Ive read, but Im sure we will stumble on something. Just wondering how the water level is this season, and any tips on the north area.

Thanks in advance
Rick

[paul40269]

I am no Champlain expert, but have been there about 6 times. A couple times in late May, once in early May and then June and August. The place is MASSIVE, so don't count on just stumbling on something. You will waste a lot of time and burn a lot of gas. Some of the bays on the NY side are just barren wastelands until the weeds grow in.

I have no clue about the water level this year, I'm curious myself as I hope to head up in early May.


As for largemouth, The Gut and the Alburgh Passage are two places that come to mind. The Gut is shallow and gets weedy and also has a lot of rip rap. I also hear Missisquoi Bay can be good for largemouth, but I think the water levels need to be good just to get in there without slipping into Canada by accident, but since you're already Canadian that doesn't matter. The islands around the inland Sea can also hold largemouth, there was a lot of Hydrilla growth out there last June, not sure how much in early May though.


Also, Ti is just an hour south of Plattsburgh so you can always trailer down.

Marine Village Cottages is a great, boater-friendly and safe place to stay if you're looking for lodging.

[bigbassmon]

Thanks for the reply Paul. Ya just looking at maps, its a vast lake for sure. We were planning on one day trailering to Ti if we dont stumble on anything exciting in the north end. Of course we are limited for time but will enjoy the search non the less. Good luck to you if you manage to get there this season.

[pcmc19057]

Water level up north is 98.14 ft
Down at whitehall is 97.50 ft
100ft is flood stage.
Water temp is 38ish up north and 44ish down south.
Tight lines
Paul

[bigbassmon]

Thanks Paul!

[sofakingbigbass]

There are plenty of lmb areas up north(Miss, the Passage ect). In fact, many will tell you that years of tournaments run out of Plattsburgh has brought up a large stockpile of lmb from Ti to the northern part of the lake. To me, Ti hasn’t fished well in a number of years. The one recent day in May I gave it a shot (2 years ago) I only caught 1 fish and it was a smallie. I personally think Ti could use a spawn season or two with high water to get things back on track down there but I’m no scientist.

[JINXBASS]

I will be there from May 4-9. About a week earlier than I normally go. I want that jerkbait bite. The last couple of years it has been mainly bed fishing.

[KandKKustomz]

chewing like crazy on champlain right now 100 plus days

[JINXBASS]

chewing like crazy on champlain right now 100 plus days

What do you mean 100 plus days?

[JINXBASS]

What do you mean 100 plus days?

Brain fart... I gotcha. Thx

[bassdge]

100 plus dollars in gas

[KandKKustomz]

100 plus dollars in gas

lol that too

[pcmc19057]

Lots of water , almost flood stage- 99ft. 100 is flood
Temp up north- 48
Temp down south- 51

USGS gage at Rouses Point NY 98.89 feet 48 degrees
USGS gage at Burlington VT 99.17 feet 45 degrees
USGS gage at Port Henry NY 99.24 feet 51 degrees
Diamond Island 46 degrees

[JINXBASS]

Lots of water , almost flood stage- 99ft. 100 is flood
Temp up north- 48
Temp down south- 51

USGS gage at Rouses Point NY 98.89 feet 48 degrees
USGS gage at Burlington VT 99.17 feet 45 degrees
USGS gage at Port Henry NY 99.24 feet 51 degrees
Diamond Island 46 degrees

Lapons bay 55... st Albans Bay 57 and parts of mallets 60 today. Fish will be on beds in a couple days.

Caught about 100 fish on Sunday about 50 on Saturday and 40 today. Could not get on over 6lbs but a handful of 5lbers and alot of 4lbers.

[paul40269]

Lapons bay 55... st Albans Bay 57 and parts of mallets 60 today. Fish will be on beds in a couple days.

Caught about 100 fish on Sunday about 50 on Saturday and 40 today. Could not get on over 6lbs but a handful of 5lbers and alot of 4lbers.

Did you make it to Mallets? How about City Bay? I crushed them there this time last year. You're probably going to have to go two hours farther north to the St. Lawrence to crack 6lbs easily.

[bassdge]

Lapons bay 55... st Albans Bay 57 and parts of mallets 60 today. Fish will be on beds in a couple days.

Caught about 100 fish on Sunday about 50 on Saturday and 40 today. Could not get on over 6lbs but a handful of 5lbers and alot of 4lbers.

You suck if you can only catch 4 and 5’s there….
and I’m stuck in a airport on weather delay for a business trip

[JINXBASS]

You suck if you can only catch 4 and 5’s there….
and I’m stuck in a airport on weather delay for a business trip

I guess I suck then.

[JINXBASS]

Did you make it to Mallets? How about City Bay? I crushed them there this time last year. You're probably going to have to go two hours farther north to the St. Lawrence to crack 6lbs easily.

Yes went to mallets for just a few hours on Monday. Caght about 40 good numbers but only had about 5 that were over 4lbs

[JINXBASS]

You suck if you can only catch 4 and 5’s there….
and I’m stuck in a airport on weather delay for a business trip

Yes city bay had them as well.

[bassdge]

Glad you guys had a great trip. Did you find any bedding?
the worst part of coming back from Champlain is that fishing for the rest of the year needs a big reset of expectations.
have a safe drive home!