Lake Vermilion Fishing Reports by Casey's Guide Service (Everything else too)

[chucker1101]

I tried to stop into Vermilion Food and Fuel several weeks back and it was closed for business. Has it re-opened? Nothing in Tower now that VF&F is gone. The Y Store has bait, but they can sell out quickly on weekends, so if you're coming up on Saturday, you should have an alternate plan.

I'm an advocate of buying bait on the lake - giving the bait stores on the lake business keeps bait well-stocked on the lake. In the Birch Point area, you can get bait at Birch Point Marine. Dave's been getting pretty good rainbows, when i couldn't find rainbows anywhere else. Over towards Frazer Bay, Shamrock is the place. Don't know if they sell bait at Bayview or the casino.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Bayview does not sell bait but the marina at the casino has fathead minnows,leeches, and crawlers, (will also soon have Casey's crawlers)!

Cliff

[fjd]

Hi Casey:

Are there any feeder creeks inot Vermillion that can be waded for smallmouth to stay cool if the weather gets a little warm during our vacation ? I wade all the time at home and would like to give a Minnesota creek a try !

I guess there are no worries about kicking up a water mocasin or two like you have on my home waters.....

[Casey Sunsdahl]

Not so much I don't think.. All to shallow for the most part... Vermilion river maybe?

[delcecchi]

Hi Casey:

Are there any feeder creeks inot Vermillion that can be waded for smallmouth to stay cool if the weather gets a little warm during our vacation ? I wade all the time at home and would like to give a Minnesota creek a try !

I guess there are no worries about kicking up a water mocasin or two like you have on my home waters.....

It doesn't feed into Vermilion but the Little Fork river is said to have excellent fishing. Runs through a bunch of woods and by an occasional house or farm and crosses a road periodically. Floating it would probably be best but it looks wadeable near the bridges. Starts out in the vicinity of cook. No poisonous snakes, just wood ticks and mosquitoes. The DNR has a water trail map. It runs into the Rainy River after 142 miles.

[JerkinLips]

Vermilion Food and Fuel was open when I stopped in last Wednesday, June 13. The back half of the store was blocked off. They did have bait, but the light suckers were very small and mixed with chubs, and the medium leeches were closer to small in size. The crawlers were okay, but I'm sure not as good as Casey's. I'll be back in two weeks, and I'm not sure where I'll stop for bait.

[Fish Head]

What's the best way to keep a flat of crawlers healthy for a long time? Other than keeping them in the fridge, are there any other tips?

[MarkB]

They have to be kept cool and damp. If you can figure a way to do that without a refrigerator, then it'll probably work. I go a step further and separate the flat(~500 crawlers) into smaller units to insure that I don't lose everything in case of a mishap. A refrigerator for sure will work.

Good Fishing,

MarkB

[Casey Sunsdahl]

Check out my Facebook page for some crawler pictures and other fun stuff!!! And what do you mean there is nothing in Tower?! My trolling motor shop is there

Casey

PS: Fishing was awsome the last 9 days.. Casey's Crawlers are the ticket... 3 on the hook at a time was the real ticket

[james_walleye]

You have a trolling motor shop Casey?

[53orbigger]

I'm also interested in hearing about this trolling motor shop Casey. I was on the lake a few weeks ago and needed some trolling motor service and didn't know where to turn and ended up just using as it was (without steering). Would be nice to know where I could get if fixed if it happens again.

Thanks

[Birch PT Mike]

Casey is the Minn Kota shop in this area. He is located at Bob's Amoco in Tower. Call his number 218 750 4510 to arrange details

[Fish Head]

I'm bringing my Minn Kota to your shop tomorrow!

[Casey Sunsdahl]

Mike is correct. I am the Minn Kota guy, says so in my signature along with a bunch of other things.

[james_walleye]

I didnt notice that. Thsts good to know!

[53orbigger]

Casey are you generally available for TM repairs on the weekends or is it just during the week? I've actually had TM problems the last 2 times I have been up (on the weekends) and just had to deal with it as it was, but it would have been really nice to have been able to get it fixed.

[Casey Sunsdahl]

You can call me any old time.. Glad to chat. I'm usually able to get in and work on motors just about every day. It's a drop off pick up thing. Hard for me to commit to a certain appointment time.

[fjd]

Thanks, Dell. We are going to try it ! I appreciate the information.

[delcecchi]

There is an essay about canoeing the little fork in

The Bear Guardian: Northwoods Tales and Meditations by Peter Leschak (writer et al from side lake) that folks might find of interest.

[Casey Sunsdahl]

Reports of major big bay bug hatches the last 2 or 3 nights... Fishing reports are still very positive! Keep our fingers crossed the Perch minnows don't ruin fishing again this year! The guys really slaying them are using Casey's crawlers.. Fish can't resist.

[Klinger]

Right on.. Bugs are all over the water but the bite still is good. 9 walleye on Casey's crawlers this morning in 20-23 fow. No jumbos. Most were 14-16". They were very aggressive as well and took the hook deep. Must be those awesome crawlers......they are plump and lively! Thx Capn!

My fishing partner had something big (prob musky) take his line as it dropped and broke him right off with 20 lb test braided..... Probably hit the yellow sinker as the whole Lindy including sinker was gone. Really got his heart pounding!

[Casey Sunsdahl]

Here is a picture of my worms (right) for those of you who don't have or use Facebook.. great great quality.. Tell your favorite baitshop to stock CC's!

[Fish Head]

Casey, Thanks for getting my Minn Kota fixed so quickly. It's working great!

[Casey Sunsdahl]

No problem.. I remember you saying you like to Muskie fish.. My client boated a 47 today while we were walleye fishing.. I will try to get some pics up if I ever get a free second... Walleye fishing was good this afternoon the walleyes were choking on Casey's Crawlers .. Same group in the AM lots of fun.

Capt.

[MarkB]

Casey,

Met a recent client of yours on the lake today. Dick, from Hayfield, MN, was very impressed with the trip he and his grandson took with you. He mentioned that you took exceptional care of the young fisherman and the youngster thoroughly enjoyed catching 20+ walleyes by himself. It's nice when people say nice things about you and this gentleman certainly spoke highly of you and your fishing prowess.

Good Fishing,

MarkB

[Casey Sunsdahl]

Cool! If he found you on the lake that means he found the fish too!! The girl who caught the 47 inch Muskie caught a 19 and a 20 inch walleye today and her sister got a 25 incher! They sure are a good pair! Caught lots of fish last two days... They are coming out again Friday.

Casey

[Casey Sunsdahl]

Finally got home to my computer and got caught up on lots of things! So I have some pictures to post just for fun and those of you that don't use Facebook. I have been posting on here from my phone for the last couple weeks when I get a chance. Smart phones are great.... get a lot done anywhere!

Fished the west end today and it was awsome! all fish 22-25 inches with the exception of one (dinky ) 17"er. All reefs but 3 i fished were good.. some were really good ... leeches over there.. Casey's Crawlers from Smarts Bay and East.

some highlights from the rest of the week...

I have some openings from the 12th-17th if anyone wants to get out.. I am also chasing some northern pike too if interested in a combo trip.

Captain Casey

[BartmanMN]

Nice fish. That is a dandy muskie.

[Casey Sunsdahl]

Here we go.. VIA www.facebook.com/caseysguideservice

HOT HOT HOT out there today.... I got baked big time... The fish didn't stand a chance though when Phil, Adrienne, Xavier and I got on them.. pounded the beautiful keepers on the East end and got about a dozen 20-24.5 inchers on the West end. Pretty awsome given the calm high skys conditions.

Fished by Cliff for about the first dozen then had to go find our own 20+ more when the bite there slowed down ... Thanks Cliff! I got your trolling motor done tonight too!

some stills

[delcecchi]

How far west did you go? Any other hints?