Jump to content

  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Vermilion Whitties

FowlSki
 Share

Recommended Posts

FowlSki Enthusiast

FowlSki

Posted
Posted

Are the whitefish worth targeting in the winter?   I've thought about giving Head of the Lakes a try as I have marked a bunch in there during the summer months.   I know some lakes whitefish can be tough to catch in the winter.  For anyone who has tried it on the V, did you have good success and what tactics worked?

I know there can be good tulibee fishing but last year we got a boat load of them and they all had worms.  We did catch one whitefish along with the tullies and it wasn't wormy.  

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cliff Wagenbach Grand Master

Cliff Wagenbach

Posted
Posted

I have never been able to catch very many white fish in the winter, (or any other time)!

Catch one occasionally fishing for walleyes but that is it.

Caught a ton of Tulibees today while searching for crappies. NO crappies today!!

Cliff

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MN BassFisher Experienced

MN BassFisher

Posted
Posted

I wasn't aware there were Whitefish in Vermilion. I have heard people mention them in the Fall but I assumed they were referencing the Tullies (I guess I was wrong!). I haven't caught a Whitefish from there but a bunch of Tullibee's were caught this weekend while we were Walleye fishing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cliff Wagenbach Grand Master

Cliff Wagenbach

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, OhioVike said:

Whitefish are not in the most recent Lake Survey. They were probably there a long, long time ago.  

Check this link. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showreport.html?downum=69037800

 

There are still a lot of white fish in Vermilion.

Lots of them netted every fall by white fish/tulibee netters during the fall netting season!

Cliff

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cliff Wagenbach Grand Master

Cliff Wagenbach

Posted
Posted

Ohio,

I have no idea why they are not listed on the lake survey report as whitefish are certainly a part of Vermilion's fish population!

Cliff

Link to comment
Share on other sites
FowlSki Enthusiast

FowlSki

Posted
  • Author
Posted

There are lots of species that do not show up in lake surveys.  It is typically one of two reasons, either their nets aren't designed to catch that particular species of fish or the nets aren't placed where the fish live.   It is probably the later with whitefish since they live in very deep water where the DNR is unlikely to place nets.

Thanks for the response Cliff.  For you, or any others, have you specifically targeted whitefish on the V?  When we caught the one that was with the tullies I think we were in about 30 feet of water.  I am guessing you'd need to get out in the 40+ foot mud to get in to them.  That seems to be where we mark the most during the summer months.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cliff Wagenbach Grand Master

Cliff Wagenbach

Posted
Posted

The few that I have caught in the winter were caught in 14' to 30' of water while fishing mainly for walleyes.

I have caught a few in around 32' while fishing for crappies.

Quite a few years back, when I used to spear, I set up in a shallow weedy bay one day (6'). I was amazed at the number of big whitefish that I saw that day!

This was during the first couple weeks of the spearing season.

I did not spear any of them because I was targeting pike. As it turned out, I should have speared a couple because I saw no pike!

Cliff

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
OhioVike Enthusiast

OhioVike

Posted
Posted

Yeah, I am guessing that it has to do with low fish count or concentrated areas of fish away from sampling errors. I have seen Whitefish on lake surveys for Kab, LOW, Namakan and Burntside.  I am sure they are using the same tools and process for each survey.  Either way you have to agree with consensus is there are probably a lot better places for Whitefish than here. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
guideman Veteran

guideman

Posted
Posted

If you want to see Whitefish come late in the fall when they are spawning in the shallows.  There are still plenty of them around if you know where and when to look.

"Ace"

"It's just fishing man"

Link to comment
Share on other sites
FowlSki Enthusiast

FowlSki

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks ace.  I'm well aware of the fall spawn but if I'm on vermilion in the fall I'm going after the fish feeding on the Whitties.  

Ohio, there are plenty of whitefish in vermilion.  My question was more so whether or not they are catchable and worth chasing since they can be a tricky species to catch in the winter.  

If I make it up to try it before ice out I'll report back. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 1 year later...
  • Popular Post
JFitz Contributor

JFitz

Posted
  • Popular Post
Posted (edited)

My dad and I stumbled on a load of whitefish this past weekend. We caught 15 and lost a few more. Most were between 3-5 lbs with our biggest pushing 6. We kept a couple and their stomachs were full of eggs. We were on a shoreline point so I'm guessing they were rooting around for tullibee eggs. Awesome fish - hoping to find some more this winter!

20171125_174934.jpg

Edited by JFitz
  • Thumbs Up 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      Sturgeon Fishing is Hot

      By LakeofthewoodsMN · Posted

      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      Early bird gets the worm some say...   I have it on good authority that this very special angler caught no walleyes or muskies and that any panfish caught were released unharmed.        
    • smurfy
      talmoon/spring lake info

      By smurfy · Posted

      got mine done........for the cabin.....ready for summer festivities!!!!!!   there was still frost in the ground...........but good gawd are the lakes low!!!!!
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      Just 1, 50" muskie🫣
    • SkunkedAgain
      Ice-Out 2024

      By SkunkedAgain · Posted

      How many walleye were on the stringer on their way out??? 
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      Saw the first boat of the year yesterday, heading towards Black Bay 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

  I accept