What lake to go to??

[GoggleEye]

Well, I am looking for your opinion on what lake(s) to make a trip to on Oct. 11th to the 15th in the Ely-Orr area. I am looking to fish for walleyes (preferably bigger ones-I don't care about keeping any) and some lakers. A lake that also has good-sized northerns or muskies in it would be a plus too. I mainly looking to go after eyes and lakers though. I was thinking of giving Burntside a try as I have been given a lot of good advice recently on b-side, but are there any others you would recommend?? Also, where can someone camp for free in the area and still be somewhat centrally located to some good lakes in the area. Gas is expensive enough, I don't want to have a $100 camping bill beside it. Thanks for any help.

GoggleEye

[Redlantern]

Lake Trout season ended on the 30th of September.

[ditchpickle6996]

There are some boat in sites on B-side (several on the north arm) where you can camp for free. But as stated above the laker season is closed and as many will attest to, B-side can be tough for catching the walleyes. Throw all the regular walleye rules out the window.

[Down Deep]

Big Lake is always pretty good for walleyes. USFS campground @ Fenske Lake might be still open. Both are on the Echo trail. I'm not completely sure, but I think that there are no restrictions on camping in the national forest. If someone knows for sure, please comment. Vermillion has a pretty good bite going on.

[vermilionwally]

The walleyes have been biting on vermilion so id give that a shot. I know hoodoo point campground is closed now and im assuming mckinley park is too. Maybe fortune bay campground is still open?

[SledNeck]

Slammin the walleyes on vermilion.

this big enough?

[Surface Tension]

Nice looking eye Sledneck.

Walleyes, Pike, and Muskies. I also think the Big V.

[GoggleEye]

Crap, I forgot about laker season closing. Well, walleyes and toothy critters it is. I am getting the impression Vermillion is the place to go, so that is set. Now another question, does The big V have any island campsites like vayageurs national park or am I going to be stuck dishing out $100 for camping? I will also look into some of the above mentioned campsites, but if anybody can confirm any free sites close to the Big V, it would be much appreciated.

GoggleEye

[mnclayshooter]

I checked the FAQ's to see if there was some tips on images... I can't seem to see them in some posts, but I can in others... is there a secret? Does anyone else have this problem?

[GoggleEye]

Mnclayshooter, if you are on a slow internet connection, they may not start appearing for several minutes. They may just appear as boxes with x's in them. If it is a link, it will appear in blue text and you will need to click on the link address to see the pic. Hope this helps you!

GoggleEye

[SkunkedAgain]

Quote:

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does The big V have any island campsites like vayageurs national park or am I going to be stuck dishing out $100 for camping?

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There are many free island campsites on Lake Vermilion. There is one just down the shore from me in fact. I'm sure that the DNR website or a Lake Vermilion website/map will show all of the campsites. They are first come first served so be prepared to go to one or two of them if needed.

[mnclayshooter]

I didn't mean to take on a separate topic here, but it isn't a connection speed issue as far as I know. I don't see placeholders or links or anything... just the text in the posts. I have seen pictures on a few other posts though... weird.

[GoggleEye]

Thanks skunkedagain. I just got out my sportsman's connection book and located the spots on the lake that have campsites. Looks like there are quite a few to pick from! I can't wait to give the big V a try next week. Any suggestions on colors, presentations, or baits to use?? I will most likely stick around the hinsdale island and blackduck island areas. I will do a lot of trolling and my next favorite thing to do is cast lures and jigs into key structure areas. Thanks for all the help and any additional advice for a clueless Vermillion angler is much appreciated! Tight Lines.

GoggleEye

[vermilionwally]

There are some campsites on hinsdale island . Ive been getting walleyes the last few weekends trolling rapalas in 5-7 feet of water. I dont fish up around hinsdale, i do all of my fishing in the pike bay area and a lot in stuntz bay ely island area too.

[SledNeck]

it never ends...at this rate I'll be fishing until deer season.

[caseymcq]

Nice fish.

GoggleEye, there is a USFS campsite east of the Trout Lake portage. It has a fire grate and a latrine back in the woods. If you are looking for a secluded site that would be one to head for.

[GoggleEye]

Thanks for the recommendation Casey. I will check it out and hopefully it is available. Vermillion wally, thanks for the info. on areas and what depth to fish. I needed a good starting point! Sledneck, for cripes sake, leave some of them eyes in the lake for me!! Nice fish, can't wait to get up there!

[tacklejunkie]

Quote:

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it never ends...at this rate I'll be fishing until deer season.

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Ok, what are you using? How deep? ect ect. Inquiring minds want to know. Also, what do you have them in, it looks like a cooler. Nice fish

[SledNeck]

Livewell on a lund rebel.

Lindy rigs with shiner minnows. The fish seem to move shallow in the evening.

[SkunkedAgain]

GoggleEye, there is a Vermilion forum on this site. If you look there you'll find everything you'd possibly want to know about what to use right now, or this time of year in general. Besides, there's a reason that my username is SkunkedAgain.

[GoggleEye]

Skunkedagain, at least you are honest about it!! We all come off the lake with our tail between our legs form time to time though!!

[vermilionwally]

Nice fish sledneck