You’re standing on the edge of a cold, deep, 120-mile stretch of water that separates Vermont from New York. It’s quiet. Maybe a little too quiet. Suddenly, the water ripples. Not a fish ripple—something bigger.
For over 400 years, people have been seeing something they can’t explain in these waters. We call it Champ of Lake Champlain. Or "Champy," if you’re a local.
Honestly, the whole thing sounds like a campfire story until you start looking at the sheer volume of reports. Over 600 people have gone on the record. We're talking about sensible folks—doctors, pilots, even a local sheriff. They aren't looking for fame; they're just confused.
The Sighting That Changed Everything
In July 1977, a woman named Sandra Mansi was out with her family. They were near St. Albans, Vermont. Kids were playing. Typical summer day. Then, she saw a "dark, leathery" neck rise out of the water. She grabbed her Kodak Instamatic and snapped a photo.
It’s the Holy Grail of cryptozoology.
The "Mansi Photo" shows a long-necked silhouette that looks disturbingly like a plesiosaur—a marine reptile that supposedly went extinct 65 million years ago. skeptics have spent decades trying to debunk it. They say it’s a log. Or a sandbar. Or a man swimming.
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But forensic experts analyzed the original print. No retouching. No double exposure. The negative is long gone, which keeps the mystery alive, but the image remains the most famous evidence we have for Champ of Lake Champlain.
Why Do People Keep Seeing It?
Is it a dinosaur? Probably not.
Modern science is a bit of a buzzkill, but the theories are actually pretty wild. Some researchers think it’s a relic population of Zeuglodon, an ancient, snake-like whale. Others suggest it's just really big lake sturgeon. Sturgeon can grow to seven feet and look like armored dinosaurs.
Then there’s the "seiche" theory. This is basically a massive underwater wave that can happen in Lake Champlain. It can be 300 feet high under the surface while the top looks like glass. These waves can grab old, waterlogged trees from the bottom and shoot them to the surface like a missile.
You see a log pop up, twist in the current, and sink. To your brain, that’s a monster.
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What the Ear Sees
In 2003, a team from the Fauna Communications Research Institute used hydrophones to listen to the lake. They caught something weird. They recorded clicks and whistles that sound almost exactly like dolphin echolocation.
Here’s the catch: dolphins don't live in Lake Champlain.
If there isn't a large, intelligent predator down there, what's making that noise? The data was presented on the Discovery Channel, and it still leaves scientists scratching their heads.
It’s Actually Illegal to Hunt Him
Vermont and New York don't usually agree on much, but they agree on Champ.
In the early 80s, both states passed resolutions to protect the creature. In 1982, the Vermont House of Representatives passed HR 18. New York followed suit. Basically, you can’t kill, injure, or harass whatever is in that lake.
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- Port Henry, New York: This town is the "Home of Champ." They have a giant billboard with all the sightings listed by year.
- The Vermont Lake Monsters: Burlington's minor league baseball team is named after the legend.
- Official Viewing Platforms: There’s one on the Lake Champlain Bridge. You can sit there and stare at the water for hours. People do.
What to Do If You’re Looking for Champ
If you want to try your luck, you need to head to the "hot spots." Bulwagga Bay near Port Henry is a big one. It’s quiet and undeveloped, which is exactly where a shy sea serpent would hang out.
Go in the summer. About 70% of sightings happen when the water is calm and the sun is starting to dip.
Don't just look for a head. Most people report seeing "humps." It looks like a series of dark coils moving through the water. If you see something, grab your phone. We need better than 1977 Kodak quality.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
Check the weather before you head out. Calm, glassy water is your best friend because it makes any unnatural ripple stand out. Bring binoculars—the lake is massive, and most sightings happen about 150 to 200 yards from shore.
If you do see something, note the "marker" points. How big was it compared to a nearby buoy? How far was it from a specific rock? This is the info researchers like the Lake Champlain Phenomena Investigation look for.
The mystery of Champ of Lake Champlain isn't going away. Whether it's a prehistoric survivor, a giant fish, or just a very convincing trick of the light, the lake is deep enough to keep its secrets for another few centuries.
Visit the Echo Leahy Center in Burlington to see the "science" side of the lake's history, then take the ferry from Charlotte, Vermont, to Essex, New York. It's one of the best ways to get right into the middle of the deep water where the biggest sightings have occurred.