Conference wahoo::fishing

    I am a cold water species fisherman rather than warm water but there
    are several good locations for bass in the area you are headed for.
    If you are looking for Largemouth bass then the east shore around
    Sand Bar State Park should be very productive.  The water is this
    area is very shallow so watch your depth carefully.  If you want
    smallmouth bass then around any of the numerous islands especially
    Fish Bladder and Savage  would be a good place to try.  There is
    a state boat launch in North Hero that puts you very close to Gull
    Rock which is excellent for bass.  Don't overlook the walleye fishing
    while in the area especially during late evening hours.  Troll deep
    diving rebels flat line behind the boat just at dark.  For more
    info your best bet would be contact Al Vhoris in Augusta.  Al used
    to work in Burlington and he is an avid bass fisherman and all around
    good guy.  
    
    Hope to hear a report on your results when you get back.
    
                                      
                                        Joe-SWAMP MAN
    
    

    Really want to thank you for the quick response. I'll be sending
    Al Vorhis a line for more info. 
    
    		I'll give a full report on the trip on my return...
    
    						Jim

    This is semi-related. I trek up to Campbells bay (right near Swanton)
    every February for one or two ice fishing trips. I have been going off
    and on over the last ten years. The problem is that it gets pounded
    due to the ready access. The pike fishing has declined steadily.
    Can anyone familiar with Champlain provide some other areas subject
    to less pressure for some future "Hardwater" trips.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Guy

    Well I'm back, and probably glad of it...
    We spent 12 hour days trying to catch fish which were less than
    cooperative. I fished out of a Sea Nymph "Fishing Machine" which
    was pretty comfortable and caught 2 nice northerns, one was about
    10 lbs and the other was 7 lbs. The rest of the trip was uneventful
    except for a 4 lb small mouth caught at Goose Pond on the way home.
    I shouldn't feel so depressed, because we did catch more fish, about
    one an hour, it's just that I know how much of a fishing resource
    the "big" lake can be. We did get quite a few other pike which keep
    us going throughout the time. I fished some new spots that Al Vorhis
    suggested which looked great and this added to the fun. We traveled
    by boat an average of 30 to 40 miles per day and got a good look
    at some incredible weed beds, rock piles and dropoffs (a typical
    area would be 5 acres of weeds in 2 to 12 feet of water and then
    dropping at a 45% angle to up to 40 to 100+ feet of water). We found
    bass and pike in water from 2 to 20 feet using big willow leaf spinner
    baits, jig n'pigs and I got one of my biggest pike on a "Little
    George".   
    Well until next year, when things get better....
                                                
    
    						Good fishin
    
    								Jim
    
    	      							

	I'm going up to Burlington over Labor Day weekend for a
	sailboard race. If the wind doesn't blow, I plan on saving
	my $35 entry fee and doing something else which is near and
	dear to my heart - FISHING!

	Could anyone out there give me some pointers to where I might
	find small boat rentals in (or near) Burlington? Also, any
	hints on where I might find smallmouth, northerns, or walleye?


		Thanks in advance!
				Robert N.

    I'll be heading up to Essex Junction on Friday afternoon, for the
    weekend.  I don't plan on taking the boat, but I'll take a rod or 
    two along 'just in case'.
    
    Can any of you Burlington Boys advise me on some local off shore
    fishery?  
    
    The last time up I took the boat and had a great time fishing the
    Winooski River at the mouth of Champlain, tons of smallies, a nice
    walleye.  Another day I spent on a bay on Champlain and caught pike 
    and largemouth.

    Spinnerbait Dilsworth, Mike Hayward and I spent last Fri-Sun at Lake
    Champlain.  Fishing for the most part around Mallets Bay.  Fishing was
    pretty good.  Surface temp was 59F.  Caught lots of smallies, a bunch of 
    largemouth and a few northern. (plus perch, pickeral and rockbass).
    
    Biggest bass was a 3lb10oz smallie caught by yours truly.
    
    Great fishery up there!
    
    donmac

    As mentioned in a previous note, I'm looking into camping around
    Burlington in July.  Can anyone comment on Grand Isle State Park
    or Appletree Bay Campground in South Hero (both right on Champlain).
    
    donmac - who has been real impressed with the Champlain fishery 

    Don,
    I haven't been to either of the two you mentioned, but
    I'm sure someone up there can fill you in ! Burton Island
    State Park is a little North of Burlington. It's an Island
    with Lean to's and a Marina. It has extensive sheltered 
    docking facilities where you can leave your boat over night,
    get up in the morning, climb in and go. The small mouth and
    Northern fishing are outstanding in that area. Walleye in the
    5 lb range are taken frequently also. I personally haven't had
    much luck with the salmon in that part of the lake, but many
    people claim it to be top notch in that sense also...To me
    the best part is the Northern fishing. You catch one every
    5 minutes or so...That with the availibilty of excellent docking/
    camping facilities makes it a top choice for me...
    
    Marty

    Don,
    
      Although I can't comment on Grand Isle State Park, I can tell
    you a little about Appletree Bay CG. It is a privately owned CG
    right next to the lake. There is a launch ramp across the road 
    from the CG, and I believe the owner owns the docks in the small
    bay next to the launch ramp. The fishing in that area is quite
    good for the most part. A lot of people troll in that immediate
    area for Salmon, and there is good Walleye fishing a few miles up
    the lake near Savage Island. Some good areas in that vicinity for
    Bass and Northerns as well (although I'm not sure of a fish every
    5 minutes as Marty claimed in reply 186.9... ;-)). Personally, I
    don't get up that way too much. I'm a little north of there (St
    Albans), and I do most of my fishing up that way.
    
      As for the campground, it appears to be mostly trailer sites (didn't
    see any tent sites, but can't say for sure). All the hook-ups (water,
    elect, ect..) are available. There is a nine hole, par 3 golf course
    at the CG which is available to campers as well as the public. There is
    a general store at the entrance to the CG, and a restaurant nearby as
    well (Sandbar restaurant??). The phone number of the CG is (802)372-5398. 
    Its a pretty nice looking area, and appears to be very well kept. About
    1/2 mile east of the CG is Sandbar State Park, which is not a CG, but
    is a fairly nice beach (sandy beach, bar-b-que, facilities, ect..).
    
    -Ron-

    Is Burton Island the island that is accessable only by boat (no bridge)?  
    If so, I saw this one on the map, it sounds real nice.  However, since
    this is a family vacation and not a "fishing trip", I don't think an
    island would be acceptable.  My wife has family up there who we'll be
    visting with off and on.  So, I'm looking for a place on the water, but
    accessable by roads.
    
    Additionally, the wife wants to borrow a tent trailer from her brother,
    and it may be a trick to get out to the island 8^).
    
    I've been to Sand Bar State Park.  My step-brother-in-law owns Anthonoy's 
    Pizza in Essex Junction and they have an annual company picnic there
    which we have attended in the past.  
    
    Right next to Sand Bar I've caught nice northern and largemouth.  I've
    also fished Mallets Bay and caught lots of smallies, largemouth and
    northern. And I have fished the mouth of the Winooski and down stream a
    few miles, catching tons of smallies, rockbass and a nice 5lb walleye.
    
    I've been extremely impressed with the fishing up there.  I haven't
    spent much time trolling.  I have a 16' bass boat and enjoy fishing for
    smallies primarily, but nothern, walleye and largemouth are just as fun.
 
    I don't have a map of Champlain handy, I'll have to get one and check
    out some of the other spots that you both mentioned.    
    
    Yesterday I called 1-800-I-LOVE-VT and requested the free travel guide
    that will hopefully provide me with a little more info on the
    campgrounds.  I have Delorme's VT atlas which lists them but does not
    give many details.
    
    Thanks for the info!  I'll probably decide on the exact destination
    within the next month or so.  As July draws nearer I'll be all ears to
    hear any more details on specific areas.
    
    Additional comments are welcome!
    
    thanks again, donmac

    Yup, The only way to Burton is by boat, but the state runs
    a fairy back and forth to the parking lot every hour or so.
    It probably takes 5 minutes or 10 minutes. The trailer might
    be tuff though :-) They have a beach and swimming area as
    well as nature lectures, game fields, plenty of stuff for
    the family, but it sounds like Appletree may be a better
    bet in your situation...
    
    Ok, maybe we only caught a Northern every 10 minutes, not 5 !
    The reason I like Burton is I find the fishing substantialy
    faster then the Appltree, sandbar, Mallets bay area, not that they
    aren't good. If you troll the area at the mouth of St Albans bay,
    around Burton, and to the small Island at the entrance of the bay,
    the fishing is incredible. Bob Farnham and I litterally couldn't
    get two lines in the water around that section. He also nailed a
    huge walleye, I think it was almost 8 lbs. LOT'S of fun!!!
    
    Marty

    I will be heading up to Champlain for a loooong weekend around June 30,
    will be fishing the Mallets Bay area,  Does anyone know of accomodation
    in the area, or even a condo that will sleep 6-8.  Also a map of the
    region would really be appreciated, Land and lake,  If someone in that
    area can send me information I would appreciated it.
    
    Send info to PACKER::BACZKO,  this will keep the disk space free on
    here.
    
    Thanks
    Les Baczko

    I'll be fishing around Mallets Bay and Sand Bar state park for the
    better part of this coming long weekend (may try the mouth of Winooski 
    river as well).
    
    Any noters going to be in the area?  
    
    -donmac

	This Colorado fisherman is headed to BTO the week of July 22.
	Anyone up to taking me out on Lake Champlain the 21st or the 
	27th?  I'll buy the gas and suds.  I need to make my reservations
	soon, let me know.  I'll show you Colorado fishing in return
	if you get out here.

	Gordon

    Just to let you know Gordon, although a third of the replies to this
    topic are mine, I'm located 3.5 hours from there in southern NH, so I 
    only get up that way 2-3 times a year.  But every time I do, the
    fishing is good.  Mallets Bay continues to be my favorite spot.
    
    Good luck finding a ride, I don't know any fisherman up there
    personally so I can't give you any pointers.
    
    I can point you to some good pizza though 8^)
    
    -donmac