Fishing info on the west end

[Parker]

Read this and form your own conclusions about the status of the fishery:

http://www.sportsmensclublakevermilion.org/pdf/Fisheries%20Management%202011.pdf

[Parker]

I pulled the following from the DNR’s 2011 assessment:

Pg 3 – “The 2011 walleye gill net catch on East Vermilion was higher than the catch on West Vermilion, which is typical. Walleye gill net catches are usually higher on East Vermilion, while the average size is larger on West Vermilion.”

Pg 4 – “Many of the larger walleye were sampled on West Vermilion and came from strong year classes produced in 2002 and 2003. The gill net catch of 13-17 inch walleye was well above average, reflecting

good reproduction in 2006 and 2007, especially on East Vermilion.”

Pg 5 – “The strongest year classes produced in recent years were the 2006 and 2007 year classes. Both year classes are stronger on East Vermilion than on West Vermilion.”

Pg 6 – “East Vermilion had a much higher electrofishing catch than West Vermilion. Electrofishing catches are usually higher on East Vermilion.”

Page 6 – “Data from our sampling program indicates growth of young-of-the-year walleye is an important factor in future survival…..The mean length and total catch indicate the 2011 year class will likely be stronger than average on East Vermilion, and slightly below average on West Vermilion.”

[delcecchi]

I am aware of that report, and I have spoken to the Author several times this summer. I corner him when he comes in July every week to run a minnow seine on our beach, primarily to count perch.

There are concerns about the reproduction or recruitment of walleye on the west end. The reasons for it are unknown. They stock fry all over the lake, and they believe the hatch is adequate. But it seems as if many of the fry don't make it.

One thing that is new that they are thinking about is the considerable increase in LM bass on the west end. Perhaps they are preying on the young walleye in their first summer.

That is why I posted earlier "eat more lm bass" or maybe it should be "eat a lm save a walleye".

Unfortunately the report didn't have numbers or stats for east vrs west, just qualitative descriptions. So we will see what DNR comes up with

[SkunkedAgain]

Good points! Maybe we need to host a few more LM bass tournaments on the west end of Vermilion

[Parker]

Regarding largemouth bass, there should be data to support or dismiss that theory. You should be able to see a direct correlation between the increase in largemouth bass and the decrease in walleye. Like most things, I would guess its more complex than that. Habitat, humans, weather, other, all likely play a part.

My point is, what’s not in dispute is that there are less walleye on the West end than the East and that a pattern has been established. This is not a short term issue. Why? Who knows.

[delcecchi]

think the concern is that it may have gotten worse in recent years. Although the data are not available to mortal man, that is the impression I get.

And about the only thing that has changed, besides global warming, is the LM Bass population.

I like the idea of LM bass tourneys. Could have the weigh in and release at the Casino.

[CigarGuy]

I'm not 30 year veteran on Vermilion, but my limited experience of 10 years has and continues to show that when I get into the walleye on the west end, I catch a ton. The action is fast and furious. I just don't find them as easily as on the east end. If my success on the west end was limited at best when I did find them, I would be more willing to believe the argument that the walleye population has drastically changed. I'm more in Cliff's camp that there is another reason, such as diversity of forage base, they are more spread out, or concentrating in unusual locations/depth/etc.

That's just my two cents.

CigarGuy, I'll likely be up this coming weekend as well. Maybe we can hook into some fish together

Skunked, It would great to wet a line with you. Probably have to do it a different wknd. This wknd is the final wknd we have with my son before he heads off to his first year of college on the 18th-gonna have a Fighting Sioux in the family! As a big time Gopher hockey fan, you don't know how hard it is to have a child at UND! Plus my daughter is coming down to join us from Fargo. So, you see what I mean about lack of quality fishing time. This is a pretty big deal for all of us to get together-doesn't happen enough since my daughter decided to stay in Fargo during the summer-she attends NDSU. After the wknd of the 18th, the wife and I will be empty nesters and I'll have more free time.

[SkunkedAgain]

You have a daughter at NDSU and a son going to UND?!? Where did you go so wrong!

....just kidding...!

[delcecchi]

For those who might be interested, over the years I have noticed on occasion big hooks on my sonar, down like 20 or 30 feet over 40+ feet, not near any structure. A typical location would be north of Schmidtt's Island. I tried fishing for them. Nada. I tried looking for them with an aquavue. nada.

Well, I think I found out what they are. Over the last week or so, we have been having a little die off of the lake herring and some of the whitefish I have seen floating are Huge. I estimate 5 or 6 pounds. I thought about netting the one I saw that was still twitching but decided not to.

The die off seems to have let up for now with a little cool down and some wind.

[fishingdad]

Del: I saw the same thing last week & yes I would say 5 lbs is right in the ballpark. I can only think of smoked whitefish on a cracker when I see them. But I'll pass on the floaters

[NilesBayHusker]

Has anyone had success in targeting Whitefish or ciscos in the summer? I have caught an occasional whitefish while targeting walleyes (all in Canada), but never in Vermilion. How would you fish for them? I guess some people have had success ice fishing for ciscos in the winter, but I've considered trying some deep water jigging with small spoons tipped with some king of bait, but never tried it. I think some nice ciscos or whitefish for the smoker would be fun. any thoughts?

[BartmanMN]

One would think you would go to the deepest hole in the lake, tie on something shiny (small jig or small spoon) tipped with Euro larva or waxies and go to town on them.

Give it a shot.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I have caught a ton of Tulibees that way but have not had any luck on Whitefish.

White fish are great smoked or fried! Tulibees taste just as bad as they smell raw when smoked in my opinion!

Cliff

[Uncle Boney]

Seen them off of Schmidt's too, over the years. Tried several times to get the hooks I've seen off N. Schmidts and also got nothing.

A few years ago, I threw a jig & worm down 40' on the east side of Schmidt's into the big hooks and got a Muskie, I assume eating the deep whitefish.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Seen them off of Schmidt's too, over the years. Tried several times to get the hooks I've seen off N. Schmidts and also got nothing.

A few years ago, I threw a jig & worm down 40' on the east side of Schmidt's into the big hooks and got a Muskie, I assume eating the deep whitefish.

Or the big hooks are pike and muskies????

Cliff

[delcecchi]

When I saw them it was way more than I would think would by Northern or Musky. Those could have been mixed in. I would have no way to know.

My working assumption at this point, given the size whitefish I have seen, is that the stuff I see is whitefish, primarily.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Del,

It really would be fun to figure out a way to catch them! They really put up a fight and are great eating!

Cliff

[delcecchi]

I've thought about it. It takes being able to fish small baits pretty deep. Should be right down your alley. My boat control skills aren't good enough except on a day like today.

[NilesBayHusker]

Thanks for all the great ideas guys. I will try it sometime when the lake is dead calm, as I would need to stay on top of a deep hole. I thought I would try the deep holes (40+ FOW) in Niles, Frazer or Wak-em-up (any thoughts on which bay would be best?) I plan to jig a swedish pimple, tipped with a wax worm or night crawler. I think pulling up 5-8 lb. fighting whitefish would be great, both to catch and to smoke.

[delcecchi]

In the past (haven't looked this year) I have seen big hooks in the area north of a line between schmidt island and taylor's Island where wakemup turns into head 0 lakes. south of staley island.

I will be really interested to hear how it goes, where every you try.

[Cherokee Ref]

Two years ago in the second week of September, right where del just described, my bother-in-law and I observed a massacre of what i believe were whitefish (?) by about 15-20 eagles. The fish were floating to the surface and struggling. Pretty cool to see that many of the birds feeding in one place.

[CigarGuy]

Last night my wife and I decided to go for a boat ride - my motive was to mix some scouting in with site seeing! We cruised around for a couple hours enjoying the scenery, a beverage and a fine stoggie while looking for fishy looking areas. With no plans on fishing, just looking for structure and actual fish on the electronics, I found several good spots.

This morning we went back to fish a few of those spots and I'm happy to report, were finally going to have Lake Vermilion walleye for dinner tomorrow night! I had to try something different to find fish and it payed off-a least today. BTW, you couldn't have ordered a nicer day to be on the water!