Burbot in Lake Champlain?

[WVBoy]

I was wondering if anyone has tried fishing for Ling in Lake Champlain? I know that people will occasionally catch one through the ice but there really seems to be no one that fishes for them or heard of them for that matter. If so how and where are some good places to try.

[Bob_D]

WVBoy,
You might be better off trying Magog or Willoughby. I've never heard of anybody targeting burbot on Champlain. Not that people don't, but I just have never heard of it. I'll ask around and see what I come up with.

Most folks I know target them at night with dead suckers right on the bottom. I'm not sure if they relate to structure of just roam the bottom looking for food. I believe they tend to be in the same places as lakers, so if you set up for lakers in a spot, you might want to stay a couple hours after dark and see what happens.

[WVBoy]

Esox,
I think they are in the same locale as lakers. I have done some research and it suggest that you really are only able to catch them in the winter because they reside so deep in summer. And at night is the best time to catch them because they will rise to humps and plateaus in about 50ft of water (I think). I would just like to catch one for the hell of it.

[bendog412]

I know there's a spot known as Ling Point in Westport; probably a local name but I guess there's a reason for it...I'm gonna give 'em a try some night...drop a stinky old minnow to the bottom and jig after dark....should be a challenge

[mtr]

WVBoy,

Regarding cusk biting in winter/summer, these fish sort of hibernate in the summer.  Tracking studies revealed very little to no movement in the summer and the researcher thought that the tags had fallen off.  This wasn't the case when the pre-spawn rolled around and the cusk roamed once again.

Good luck!

[pursuit]

I have fished ling in champlain for a few years with some pretty good success. We fish at night in the deep water (50-80ft)were the smelt are biting. Thompsons point is always been good and Basin harbor is another great spot. Try using a 3/4 oz bell sinker and to the sinker attach a snelled hook. Then hook a side of smelt, just hook it by the end so it looks kinda like a minnow. Drop the rig to the bottom and start bouncing the sinker of the bottom stirring up the silt. Then hang on! Good fighters and good table fair! Good luck.

[leclairro]

A buddy of mine and his dad go out on South Bay for burbot, usually pretty lucky