Spring is salmon time in the Lake Champlain region. When the ice goes out on the big lake Landlocked Atlantic Salmon begin their spring runs up the major tributaries. The Boquet, AuSable and Saranc rivers are the three major salmon streams on the New York side of the lake.
The salmon are not in the rivers to spawn in the spring as the spawning run takes place in the fall. In spring they journey upstream to feed, attracted by the warmer temperatures and increased water flow, following schools of yellow perch, minnows and smelt. This first run usually starts about the second week of April and lasts until the end of May.
The Boquet is the most popular river offering the best access and most fishable water. On the Boquet the fish enter the mouth and move upstream to the big pool below the falls in Willsboro. The salmon do not enter the fish ladder in spring so the falls are as far upstream as they go. This area has great fishing access along both banks. Many anglers fish the big pool below the falls which is deep and can hold many nice salmon as well as brown trout and the occasional steelhead, walleye and smallmouth bass. Another good spot to try is the section below the big pool by the two small islands.
The Boquet River is fishable along the East/Southeast bank all the way to the mouth. There is a small launch for small boats and canoes just down from the main parking area below the fish ladder.
The lower AuSable river can be accessed in from the Route 9 bridge just north of Keeseville. The salmon will be in the river from the mouth upstream to just below AuSable Chasm. The river is wadeable around the Route 9 bridge and small boats or canoes can be launched here or near the mouth at the AuSable Point Campground.
The Saranac river generally has fewer fish but the access is easy as the mouth of the river is right in downtown Plattsburgh. Anglers can wade the river, cast from shore or launch a small boat at the mouth.
The number of fish running upstream is dependent on the flow of water. Higher water means more fish, low water means less, so the best time to fish is directly after a warm spring rain raises the river level.
These spring run salmon are here for one reason and that is to feed so the action can be fast and furious when they are in. Many methods and tactics are productive from drifting worms to casting small spinners and spoons like Phoebes and small Cleos. Light to medium light spinning tackle with 6-8 pound line are ideal rigs. A 6 weight fly outfit with sink tip line works well for high water. A few local favorite flies for spring Landlocks are the Grey Ghost, Mickey Finn, Hornberg, Silver Smelt and Gov. Aiken streamers. As the water temp. warms in to the low 50's dry flies can be used when the salmon are feeding.
The fish are generally not leader shy in the fast high waters but as the river level drops and the water clears, lighter lines, smaller lures and flies and gentler presentations should be used. The new fluorocarbon lines work very well in these conditions.
Towards the end of May most salmon will have moved back into the lake and the Salmon run will be over until they return to the rivers to spawn in the Fall
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