Lake Champlain Wildlife & Fish

Lake Champlain has one of the richest freshwater ecosystems in the Northeast. The Lake Champlain Basin Program counts 93 fish species in the lake (78 native and 15 non-native), about 20 of them actively sought by anglers. More than 300 bird species breed, winter or migrate through the basin, along with 56 mammal species, 21 amphibians and 19 reptiles. More than 60 species in the basin are listed as threatened or endangered in Vermont, New York or Québec.

By Vermont Lake Collection · Last reviewed: October 2026

The Short Answer

What fish are in Lake Champlain?

Popular game fish include smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, landlocked Atlantic salmon and lake trout. The lake also holds rarer, ancient-looking species such as lake sturgeon and longnose gar.

How many fish species live in Lake Champlain?

About 90. The Lake Champlain Basin Program counts 93 (78 native and 15 non-native); a 2017 Vermont Fish & Wildlife presentation counted 88.

Where is the best birdwatching on Lake Champlain?

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge at the lake's north end is the standout: Vermont's largest great blue heron rookery, plus more than 20,000 ducks that stop there each fall.

Game Fish and Restoration

Anglers come for bass, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, landlocked salmon and lake trout. The trout and salmon are a long-running restoration project. Vermont, New York and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have coordinated the effort since 1973, both species still depend on stocking, and controlling parasitic sea lamprey is critical to their survival. Fishing on the lake was estimated to bring in about $200 million in spending in 1997.

Ancient Fish and Rare Species

Lake sturgeon, a bony, armored fish that can grow very large, still live in Lake Champlain and depend on spawning habitat in the lake's tributaries. Longnose gar, with their long toothy snouts, are another prehistoric-looking resident. Both often come up as explanations for Champ sightings. The Basin Program lists 10 of the lake's fish species as endangered or threatened.

Invasive Species

Zebra mussels, first found in the lake in 1993, have spread widely. Alewife and spiny water flea are also changing the lake's food web. Boaters can help by cleaning, draining and drying boats between lakes.

Birds: Terns, Herons and Eagles

Common terns nest in small colonies on the lake's rocky islands and have been listed as endangered in Vermont since 1989. Their breeding population hit a low of about 50 pairs in 1988; with Audubon's recovery work since 1997, including posting islands, managing predators and building chick shelters, the number of adults has grown about 300%.

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1943 on the Missisquoi River delta near the Canadian border, covers 7,232 acres. Shad Island holds Vermont's largest great blue heron rookery, with anywhere from about 250 to nearly 600 nests a year, and more than 20,000 ducks gather there each fall. The delta was named a Wetland of International Importance in 2013.

Bald eagles have made a comeback across Vermont after DDT wiped them out. By 2020 the state had 41 nesting pairs, and the state's Endangered Species Committee voted that year to remove them from the endangered list.

Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles

The basin is home to 56 mammal species, from river otters to black bear, plus 21 native amphibians and 19 reptiles. Nine of those reptile species are listed as threatened or endangered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there sturgeon in Lake Champlain?
Yes. Lake sturgeon still live in the lake, though they are a species of conservation concern and need clean tributary spawning habitat.

Is Lake Champlain good for fishing?
Yes. It is one of the Northeast's best-known freshwater fisheries, with about 20 species actively fished, including bass, walleye, pike, perch, salmon and lake trout. Check Vermont or New York fishing regulations before you go.

What invasive species are in Lake Champlain?
Zebra mussels (found in 1993), alewife and spiny water flea are among the invasive species affecting the lake.

Are there bald eagles on Lake Champlain?
Yes. Bald eagles have recovered across Vermont, and their growing numbers are even affecting the great blue heron rookery at Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.