It is mid-January, and if you are standing on the Burlington waterfront right now, the wind is probably biting. You’re looking out at that massive slate-gray expanse of water and wondering: how cold is it, really? Honestly, lake champlain water temperature today is hovering right around the freezing mark, but the numbers vary more than you’d think depending on where you drop your thermometer.
As of Sunday, January 18, 2026, the USGS sensors are pulling in some bone-chilling data. At the Burlington gauge, the water is sitting at roughly 34°F to 35°F. Further north at Rouses Point, it is even tighter to the edge of ice at about 34°F. If you head down toward Port Henry, the readings have been a bit "warmer"—if you can call it that—floating closer to 41°F in some deeper pockets earlier this week.
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Basically, the lake is an ice cube in progress.
Why the Temperature Isn't the Same Everywhere
You’ve probably noticed that some bays are completely locked in white while the "Broad Lake" still has waves. That is the Lake Champlain specialty. Because this body of water is so deep—reaching 400 feet in spots—it holds onto summer heat like a massive thermal battery.
The shallow areas, like Missisquoi Bay or the South Lake near Whitehall, lose heat fast. They’re usually the first to freeze. But the main lake? That takes a massive amount of sustained sub-zero air to actually "shut." In fact, in recent years, the Broad Lake hasn't been closing as often as it used to.
Wind is the other big factor today. With gusts hitting up to 20 mph from the southwest, that water is getting churned. This mixing prevents a skim of ice from forming on the surface because the slightly warmer water from the depths is constantly being pulled up to the top.
Fishing and Survival: What These Numbers Mean
If you are an angler, lake champlain water temperature today tells a specific story. At 34°F, fish metabolism is basically at a standstill. We're talking slow. If you’re out there chasing lake trout or landlocked salmon, you’ve gotta go deep and move your bait like it’s half-asleep.
- Lakers: They love this. This is their peak comfort zone, but they aren't going to chase a fast lure.
- Perch: Usually found huddling in the weeds of the shallower, frozen bays where the temp is a stable 32.5°F under the ice.
- Safety: This is the big one. If you fall in today, you have maybe 15 minutes before your muscles stop working. Cold shock is real.
The Long-Term Trend (It's Getting Warmer)
It’s kinda wild to look at the historical data from the Lake Champlain Basin Program. Back in the 19th century, the lake froze over almost every single year. It was a guaranteed highway for sleds.
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Now? It’s a coin toss.
The average water temperature in August has climbed nearly 7°F since the 1960s. That summer heat lingers. Because the water starts autumn much warmer than it used to, it takes longer to reach that 32°F threshold in January. Scientists like those at the UVM Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory have been tracking this "delayed cooling" for years. It affects everything from when the smelt spawn to how much phosphorus gets churned up during winter storms.
What to Do With This Info
If you're planning to head out on the ice or take a boat out of the few remaining open ramps, check the specific USGS "National Water Dashboard" for the Burlington or Port Henry stations. Don't just trust a general forecast.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the "Broad Lake" vs. "Inland Sea" difference: The Inland Sea (east of the Hero islands) is often several degrees colder and safer for ice.
- Watch the wind chill: Even if the water is 34°F, a 15-knot wind will make the "effective" temp on your skin much more dangerous.
- Monitor the USGS 04294500 station: This is the gold standard for Burlington-area surface temps.
Keep an eye on the pressure too. When the barometer drops and the wind shifts to the north, those 34°F surface temps can turn into a sheet of "grease ice" in a matter of hours.