2017-2018 Vermilion Ice Conditions and Fishing Reports

[Cliff Wagenbach 1,077]

OhioVike,

Not a whole lot of snow but the hard drifts in between can give you trouble with a truck at times.

I am still not seeing slush out from McKinley where I am at but it is probably not far off!

Cliff

[Raven77 48]

Was good to meet you Cigar Guy!  Thanks for stopping by and introducing yourself.  I've met a lot of new people this winter that just stopped by my fish house and introduced themselves.  Seems like people are more outgoing in the winter!  Maybe freezing half to death improves camaraderie!

Fishing was slow for us too last weekend on the west end but I did manage to catch a 26" walleye Sunday morning around 10:00.  Caught it in 18 FOW using a rainbow minnow on a plain red hook with glow bead on dead stick.  We were watching perch on the camera.  Suddenly the perch disappeared and shortly thereafter my rattle reel went off.  The spot we are on near my cabin has been good for picture fish but not eaters.  The walleyes are too big and the perch are too small.  Going to have to try some new spots.

[DLD24 181]

Do you guys typically find the eyes on the midlake humps this time of the year...thinking of trying Vermillion for the 1st time this weekend.

[Cliff Wagenbach 1,077]

DLD24,

That will be your best bet now! Get away from the areas that have been fished to death already! New areas will almost always produce better, at least for a while.

Cliff

[DLD24 181]

How was the bite this weekend? Didn't make it up, going to try on Thursday.

[LBerquist 78]

Pretty slow. Saturday we caught 4 dinks, a nice jumbo perch, 5 whities, and an eelpout. We missed probably 6 to 8 bites that we should have gotten. And a few more bites that were just hit and runs on the rattle reels. I'm trying to get my 7 yr old daughter to catch the fishing bug so she was handling all the bites.

[JerkinLips 332]

Love the picture.  Hopefully your daughter "catches" the bug.  My kids never did.

[BigVwalters 8]

Any reports over the weekend? 

[Cliff Wagenbach 1,077]

Very slow bite for me.

Did not hear any other good reports either.

Cliff

[OhioVike 35]

Too cold?

[JerkinLips 332]

Very slow bite for me also.  In 2½ days Friday-Sunday I caught only 5 walleyes including the 25" pictured.  Also caught a 14" tulibee, 12" perch, and three 16-20" eelpout.  I really wished I had moved my house out to a remote location, but now it is too late in the season.  It also was too cold to want to fish in my portable.

[Mielkez 6]

Are there any good crappie areas on Vermilion? 

[Cliff Wagenbach 1,077]

3 hours ago, LBerquist said:

Good luck. Might as well ask for SSN and mothers maiden name while your at it.

You are right about that!

Even when I take good friends to my crappie spots I blindfold them (both ways)!

Cliff

[Mielkez 6]

That works for me. All I needed to know is that they're in there and theyre worth working for. Got 6 guys, 3 machines and the better part of a week. I'm sure we'll find them. 

[OhioVike 35]

6 guys, 6 machines and 6 ice augers might be a better formula.  Also bring a big bottle of Aleeve.  

[Mielkez 6]

We'll see. That's why they call it fishing and it catching. My group likes to pick a lake to sort of figure out each year. At least well enough to eat while we stay. Haven't had a problem yet. I'll be sure to let y'all know how we do. 

[Cliff Wagenbach 1,077]

 Still a few biting out there!

Got this one this morning.

[Wanderer 1,135]

7 hours ago, Mielkez said:

We'll see. That's why they call it fishing and it catching. My group likes to pick a lake to sort of figure out each year. At least well enough to eat while we stay. Haven't had a problem yet. I'll be sure to let y'all know how we do. 

We got in the habit of “New water Sunday” when we were coming up more often.  Hit a known good spot on Saturday and explore the next.  Sometimes a bust but usually not.  And obviously found even better spots.

We have enough now it would be tough to hit ALL the good ones even once in a season of trips.

[awemhoff 0]

hello guys just could use some advice I have fished vermillion since I was a young boy but always on the west end never fished on the east end and always in the summer so ice fishing will be a first for me I am planning to move to the area and I am pulling my fish house up this weekend and was wondering if there are plowed roads on either side of the lake any advice would be greatly appreciated 

[OhioVike 35]

19 hours ago, Mielkez said:

We'll see. That's why they call it fishing and it catching. My group likes to pick a lake to sort of figure out each year. At least well enough to eat while we stay. Haven't had a problem yet. I'll be sure to let y'all know how we do. 

I didn't mean my remarks to be disparaging.  We always struggle to find crappie, at least new spots.  There are a ton fish in the lake. My brothers and I do a lot of ice trolling. Both for exploration and moving improves our catch.  It's work but it is fun too. On cold days we move less.  Good luck. I hope you and your clan do well.  Vermilion is my favorite place in the world and I have been a lot of places.  

 

[Cliff Wagenbach 1,077]

Awemhoff,

There are plowed roads out of McKinley Park, Stuntz Bay, and Everett Bay on the East end.

Welcome to F.M.!

Cliff

[awemhoff 0]

Thank you cliff  I've never fished on the East End of the lake if you could  give me any pointers it would be on where to setup or what to look for would be  much appreciated hopefully I'll get to meet you out there this weekend probably know a few of my relatives they're on the cook  side

[Roscoe010 0]

Hi Guys,

Are there any resorts that offer ice house rentals during the winter on Vermilion?

Thanks!

[PRO-V 262]

The casino does but don't know anything about their operation.

[side_laker 18]

Cliff

where does the road in Everett bay come out if. Is it from a resort or public landing.