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Natural Freshwater•Vermont Lakes•Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, Addison, Rutland (VT), Clinton, Essex (NY) County

Lake Champlain, Vermont: Map, Depth, Size & Information

Comprehensive hydrographic guide to Lake Champlain featuring verified USGS & USACE water statistics, interactive topographic mapping, shoreline facilities, boating ramps, and game fisheries.

Directions
Surface Area
313,600 acres
1269.1 km²
Max Depth
400 feet
121.9 m
Elevation
98 feet
30 m ASL
Shoreline
587 miles
945 km
Coordinates
44.533°, -73.333°
GPS WGS84
Verification
Official Data
2026-03-07
Live Hydrographic & Conditions Telemetry

Lake Champlain Live Water Level Status & Wind Conditions

Reservoir Hydrography
Water Level Status & Capacity
Current Water Elevation
97.78 ft
Normal Full Pool: 98.00 ft
Full Pool
Difference from Full Pool
-0.22 ft(below)
Reservoir Waterline & Storage Capacity95.1% of Conservation Pool
0%
25%
50%
75%
100% Full
Full Pool: 98.00 ft
24h Change: -0.06 ft / 24hEst. Volume: 19,086,950 acre-ft
Inflow Rate
7,260 cfs
River tributaries
Dam Outflow
7,774 cfs
Hydro & spillway
Water Temp
58°F
Surface layer
Water Clarity
22.6 ft
Secchi disc depth
Hydrologic balance: Current net flow is -514 cfs (Releasing volume). Water level is falling at 0.06 ft per day.
Atmospheric & Surface
Live Wind & Wave Simulator
Caution for Small Craft
Nautical Wind Compass Rose
NESW
NNW 337°
18 mph
Gusts: 29 mph
Blowing from NNW (337°) at 18 mph
Surface Wave Conditions1.5 ft wave height
Moderate Chop (1.0 - 2.0 ft)
Whitecap Chop & Swell
Barometer
30.03 inHg
Steady pressure
Solunar Bite
Peak Feeding Window
High game fish bite
Hourly Forecast Timeline Scrubber:12 PM • 18 mph NNW
Calculate Water Level & Volume ChangesModel acre-feet storage loss, shoreline recession, and drought reserve projections for Lake Champlain.
Open Calculator

Interactive Map of Lake Champlain

44.5333° N, 73.3333° W|Get Directions
Centroid Coordinates: 44.5333° N, -73.3333° WOpen Directions in Maps

Where is Lake Champlain?

Lake Champlain is located in Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, Addison, Rutland (VT), Clinton, Essex (NY) County in the state of Vermont, at geographical coordinates 44.5333° North latitude and 73.3333° West longitude. The water body lies at a surface elevation of approximately 98 feet (30 meters) above mean sea level.

Nearby Cities & Distances

Burlington
1 miles away
Plattsburgh
2 miles away
St. Albans
4 miles away
Montpelier
38 miles away

About Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain with Adirondack mountains reflecting at sunset from Burlington
Natural Freshwater • Post-Glacial Tectonic Basin LakeVerified 2026-03-07

Lake Champlain is a major natural freshwater lake situated primarily between Vermont and New York, with its northern tip extending into Quebec, Canada. Cradled between the Green Mountains to the east and the Adirondack Mountains to the west, Lake Champlain contains more than 70 islands and is celebrated for Revolutionary War naval history, scenic ferry crossings, and championship bass tournaments.

Hydrographic Classification:

Lake Champlain is categorized as a Post-Glacial Tectonic Basin Lake. Its designated primary authorized uses include Recreation, Municipal Drinking Water, Commerce & Ferry Transit, Wildlife Conservation.

Activities & Recreation

Sport Fishing

Lake Champlain is known for its resident game fish species. Common targets include:

Largemouth BassSmallmouth BassNorthern PikeLake TroutLandlocked Atlantic SalmonWalleye
Boating & Watersports

Popular watercraft activities permitted across regulated channels:

Bass Fishing TournamentsSailingSea KayakingHistoric Fort TouringIsland BikingSwimming

Boat Ramps, Marinas & Public Parks

Marinas (4)

  • •Burlington Community Boathouse
  • •Point Bay Marina
  • •Plattsburgh Boat Basin
  • •Malletts Bay Boat Club

Public Boat Launches (4)

  • •Burlington Ferry Dock Launch
  • •Malletts Bay Access
  • •John Guilmette Access (South Hero)
  • •Plattsburgh Municipal Ramp

Parks & Recreation (4)

  • •Grand Isle State Park
  • •Button Bay State Park
  • •Cumberland Bay State Park
  • •Ausable Point State Park

Boating Safety, Wake Zones & Aquatic Regulations

• Speed & Wake Buffer Zones:

A mandatory 100-to-200-foot no-wake zone is enforced around all public boat launches, designated swimming areas, private docks, and moored vessels. Vessel operators must maintain idle speed in narrow coves and bridge passes.

• Safety Gear & AIS Protocol:

Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III PFDs are required for all vessel occupants. To prevent aquatic invasive species (quagga mussels, hydrilla), boaters must adhere to Clean, Drain, and Dry inspection procedures prior to launching.

Seasonal Fishing Patterns for Lake Champlain

Spring (March – May)Pre-Spawn & Spawn

Game fish move into sheltered secondary coves, shallow flats (4–12 ft depth), and creek mouths as surface temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s. Target submerged timber, riprap, and emerging vegetation with spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits, and soft plastics.

Summer (June – August)Thermocline & Main Basin

Predators retreat to deep underwater humps, main river channel ledges, and thermocline layers (20–45 ft). Peak activity shifts to dawn, dusk, and night trolling. Use deep-diving crankbaits, spoons, drop-shots, and downrigger spreads.

Autumn (Sept – November)Fall Turnover & Feeding Blitz

Cooling weather triggers lake turnover and intense schooling feeding. Bass, trout, and walleye push baitfish into primary points and pocket coves. Fast-moving topwater plugs, lipless crankbaits, and swimbaits produce explosive strikes.

Winter (Dec – February)Deep Suspension & Ice

Fish consolidate around deep wintering holes (40–80+ ft) or under safe solid ice on northern waterways. Slow finesse presentations—vertical jigging spoons, blade baits, and live bait rigs—dominate the cold-water season.

Lake Champlain Statistics & Hydrography

MeasurementImperial ValueMetric Equivalent
Surface Area313,600 acres1269.1 km²
Maximum Depth400 feet121.9 meters
Average Depth64 feet19.5 meters
Water Surface Elevation98 feet above sea level30 meters
Shoreline Length587 miles945 km
Lake ClassificationNatural Freshwater (Post-Glacial Tectonic Basin Lake)
GPS Coordinates44.5333° N, 73.3333° W

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Champlain

7 verified answers
Was Lake Champlain ever briefly considered a Great Lake?+
Yes! In 1998, President Bill Clinton signed a bill that briefly designated Lake Champlain as the sixth Great Lake for federal research funding purposes, before Congress adjusted the terminology a month later.
How deep is Lake Champlain in Vermont?+
Lake Champlain reaches a verified maximum depth of 400 feet (122 meters), with an estimated mean operating depth of approximately 64 feet (20 meters). The lake bathymetry features typical natural freshwater bottom topography with distinct drop-offs, deep submerged channels, and shallow littoral zones that support aquatic vegetation and forage species.
What is the surface area, shoreline length, and elevation of Lake Champlain?+
At normal conservation pool, Lake Champlain covers approximately 313,600 surface acres (about 490.0 square miles or 1269.1 km²) at an elevation of 98 feet above sea level. The shoreline extends for 587 miles (945 km) throughout Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, Addison, Rutland (VT), Clinton, Essex (NY) County, featuring numerous sheltered coves and bays.
What game fish can you catch in Lake Champlain?+
Anglers on Lake Champlain target Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, Walleye. Peak fishing occurs during spring spawning runs in shallow bays and submerged timber, followed by summer deep-water trolling near thermocline depths and structural humps. Autumn brings aggressive feeding activity along windward points.
Can you boat on Lake Champlain and where are the public ramps?+
Yes, recreational boating is permitted on Lake Champlain. Public boat launch facilities include Burlington Ferry Dock Launch, Malletts Bay Access, John Guilmette Access (South Hero). Full-service marinas including Burlington Community Boathouse and Point Bay Marina offer slip rentals, marine fuel, and boat repair services. Boaters must adhere to state navigation laws, maintain required life jackets and safety gear, and respect posted no-wake zones near docks, coves, and designated swimming beaches.
Who manages Lake Champlain and are there campgrounds or parks nearby?+
Lake Champlain is managed and monitored in coordination with Lake Champlain Basin Program & USGS Vermont Water Science Center. Lakeside recreation areas and campgrounds include Grand Isle State Park, Button Bay State Park, Cumberland Bay State Park. Visitors can take advantage of developed campgrounds with tent and RV hookups, scenic hiking trails, day-use picnic areas, and boat launch access.
Where does the data for Lake Champlain come from and how is it verified?+
All hydrographic statistics, water surface elevation gauges, surface acreage measurements, and bathymetric soundings for Lake Champlain are cross-referenced from authoritative federal and state geospatial databases, primarily Lake Champlain Basin Program & USGS Vermont Water Science Center and the USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Records undergo programmatic sanity verification and were last verified on 2026-03-07. Detailed ingestion pipelines, calibration procedures, and agency citations are published on our Data Methodology page (/methodology/).
Review Full Data Methodology & Verification Guidelines
Authoritative Data Source: Lake Champlain Basin Program & USGS Vermont Water Science Center
Last verified: 2026-03-07 • Record ID: lake-champlain-vt
View Official Source

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