Despite living in southeastern Vermont, Roy spends an inordinate amount of time fishing Lake Champlain. Vermont Fishing ForecastLarge and smallmouth bass are on everyone’s mind as Vermont anglers anticipate the 2026 season, especially on Lake Champlain. “Bass fishing in inland lakes and small ponds continues to produce a lot of high-quality bass across the state. READ MORELake Champlain’s Native Lake Trout Restored After 75 Years Decades-long conservation efforts have helped to restore self-sustaining lake trout in Lake Champlain, ending the need for supplemental hatchery stocking. A Six-Pound Smallmouth on Lake Champlain One brisk October morning in the Northeast led to the catch of a lifetime.