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Greetings...myself and some guys from the office are heading up to Lake Vermillion this weekend, looking to escape the "world" for a few days.

We've never been up there and I'm wondering if anybody would be willing to share some advice on fishing the lake....where to fish, what to use, etc.

We're not fishing real hard or for anything particular, just looking to relax a little bit, but catching a little something would be nice. Any advice you can share would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!

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Not knowing where you're lodging it'll be tough to give "location" advice.

Vermilion is an excellent fishery for several species, most notably walleye, smallmouth, and muskie. There are also good panfish spots, and northern (some trophys) aren't scarce either.

Best advice is to feel your way around (get a good map, like the LakeMaster one) and notice the kind of water others are fishing.

There are "special regulations" on walleye and northern, more restrictive than the statewide rules. Limit on walleye is 4 (not 6), everything between 17" and 26" must go back in the lake (you can have one walleye over 26" in possession). Northern, all fish between 24 and 36 inches must be release (one over 36 allowed).

Most of all, enjoy the lake --- it's an awesome place!

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hans, I will be up there the weekend b4 4 of july. I have never fished small mouth and only musky 3 times. I will be staying at the casino ( camping). What kind of structure would I look for bass? are they in the weeds like bucket mouth or rocks? Musky is a [PoorWordUsage] shoot any way at least for me so I will toss any place that looks inviting

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Hey SWMNguy, welcome to HSO/FM. Great to have you here.

I second the advice on the map. Lakemaster or Fishing Hot spots both have excellent Vermilion maps.

And there's a new book out this season, the first fishing guide specifically written about the Big V. It's titled "Lake Vermilion: a multi-species fishing guide to northern Minnesota's crown jewel."

And, I must admit, I researched, wrote and designed it. The book is published by the Timberjay Newspaper out of Tower, and is full advice on tackle, tactics and locations for all gamefish species in all seasons.

You can find info on it here.

You could order it online, but since you'll be up already this coming weekend you're better off buying it at one of the stores or resorts in the area. Not sure which end of the lake you're coming to, but if it's the east end you can pick it up in Tower at the Timberjay office on main street or Vermilion Fuel and Food, also on main. If you're on the west end you can find it at Lake Vermilion Trading Co. in Cook, and also at most of the resorts.

Good luck, and good fishing. Vermilion is a great fishery!

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SWMNguy,

Welcome to HSO/FM and the Vermilion Forum!

If you are fishing the East End of the lake the walleyes are biting very well yet.

Lindy Rigs or spinners baited with minnows crawlers or leeches are all catching fish.

12' to 30' has been my best depths this week.

Cliff

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What kind of structure would I look for bass? are they in the weeds like bucket mouth or rocks?

Smallmouth have completely different habits than largemouth.

They like rock/rubble --- I find them on mid-lake reefs, off rocky points, or offshore slopes of islands. Not in "boulders" particularly, but in rocks from about the size of your fist up to Dolly Partons cup size. Water depths below 20' work best for me, and don't be afraid to try shallow.

Tubes and senkos work, and you'll get a lot of incidental bites when using crawlers looking for walleye.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Brianf.
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    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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    • CigarGuy
      With the drifting, kind of hard to tell for sure, but I'm guessing about a foot and still lightly snowing. Cook end!
    • PSU
      How much snow did you get on Vermilion? 
    • Mike89
      lake here refroze too...  started opening again yesterday with the wet snow and wind...  very little ice left today...
    • Hookmaster
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