Early Season Salmon

Captain Tony Bushway has been putting his clients on fish all spring as evidenced by these fine catches of Atlantic Salmon. Capt. Tony leaves from Apple Island Marina in South Hero. You can experience some of this exciting fishing by contacting him at (802) 654-9282 or email at anbradonfishingcharters@yahoo.com These fish are real acrobats; fun to catch and great table fare.

Dandelions and Apple Blossoms

Early spring is preparation time for the approaching fishing season. High water in the Champlain Basin helps to flush out the low lying areas and swamps as fish move in to spawn primarily guided by changing water temperatures. These photos show last fall's water levels compared with this spring.

Docks, which have been safely stored on the shore away from the dangerous ice break-up, are hoisted back into the water. When the water recedes, they will be reattached to the cement foundation anchors using chains.

April - the in between month

Melting snow in the mountains creates dramatic changes here in the Champlain Valley. Rivers unlock their frozen secrets and the rush of open water is heard everywhere. Lake Champlain refills once again as the level of the lake reaches 100' above sea level all the while emptying north via the Richelieu River into the great St. Lawrence Seaway.

Open water enthusiasts ready their boats for another exciting season on the lake.

The Ice of March

The last weekend in March promised good pike action and believe me, it was true to it's reputation. After a slow start with fish grabbing the bait and dropping it on the return, we began to sink the hooks and landed nearly 30 fish for the day. Besides some good pike in the 4-6lb range, we tusseled with a few in the 7-8lb class and even pulled in some big bowfin. A few crappies, sunnies and perch rounded out the day.

We're setting up closer and closer to the marsh where the big hen pike are cruising in as they begin their spring spawn run. Most of the fish were returned to the water and the ones we did harvest for a fish fry were all clean and healthy looking ones both inside and out.

Ice conditions continue to hold up well here in the Alburgh Passage. The channel is opening up out in the middle where the current flows strongest, but the inside bays are still well locked in. Even the shorelines are stable; plenty of 4 wheelers still find good access and can travel up and down the bays. I fished for crappies yesterday and counted 38 cranks with the hand auger to get through the solid ice pack. That translates to about 16" of good ice still in the bay. With temps holding below freezing most nights this week, we'll be ice fishing again this weekend for sure!

Late day on the Ice

Andy and Jason found a weed edge on a deep water breakline as the pike began moving from the channel into the head of the bay. Flags were flying all day. These photos are just some of the highlights.

More pike on the ice

As promised, here are some more shots of this week's pike. The Worcester crew knows how to follow Toad's advice!

Mid March Pike

This week saw several groups with great success on the ice. At least 18" of solid, stable ice makes it possible to continue to drive out to the bay just south of Holiday Harbor. Macomb (locally called Paquette's Bay) is the classic spring pike bay: deep water edge sloping into plenty of weeds with lots of baitfish and a small creek feeding the back of the bay. The Whitaker/Murphy group iced over 60 fish in 2 days, The Worcester gang landed several pike, some upwards of 9lbs., and the boys from Long Island will be eating some fresh fish all week.

Weather continues to be colder than normal especially at night, dipping down into the single numbers. I heard the ice popping and expanding this morning which means we're adding a few inches over the next few days. Most fishermen know that conditions can turn quickly,though, especially with the wind and rain of early spring in the north country. Right now it looks like about 2 more weeks of good ice. Best bet for big fish!