Lake Champlain’s winter pike fishing can’t be beat. Better yet, largemouth bass and northerns often swim in the same area, so winter anglers never know for sure what’s going to flip their flags! Try the big lake’s shallows and bays for hardwater action for either of these species. Hotspots include Kelly Bay, Missisquoi Bay, Dillenbeck Bay, Carry Bay, St. Albans Bay, Malletts Bay, Larabees Point, Singing Cedars, Lapans Bay, Benson Landing and Dresden Narrows.

Other best bets for pike include Lake Bomoseen, Lake St. Catherine, Lake Hortonia, Glen Lake, Lake Carmi and Norton Pond. Bomoseen is also known for giving up record-class largemouth bass, brown trout and yellow perch. Hortonia has given up many record fish over the years, including recent additions in the largemouth bass and black crappie categories.

Lake Fairlee is another record-setting largemouth bass destination, and Lake Dunmore has yielded record-book largemouths, brown trout, landlocked salmon, rainbows and walleyes. (A record 10.08-pound specimen was taken here in February 2005.)

Caspian Lake
Caspian Lake in Craftsbury is home to big lake trout, rainbows and browns. In 2005, Caspian gave up the new state-record lake trout, weighing in at a whopping 32 pounds. Minnows and wax worms are popular live bait here. Yellow perch are also plentiful.

To get there, follow Route 14 south from Albany.

Always check the current ice-fishing regulations before heading out. For details, contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05671-0501. Call (802) 241-3700 or visit VTFishAndWildlife.com.