Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

I have been getting a fair amount of my fish on pike suckers.

Crawlers are still working too!

Cliff

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I won't be buying any.. The water temp is still 72 degrees and they are impossible for me to keep when daytime highs are in the 80s... Minnows won't outfish crawlers until about the 3rd or 4th week of September.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought that, perhaps, some of you readers might be interested in how "Joe Blow" back a boat into the water for the day,fishermen are faring these days. Yesterday, I volunteered to help The Sportsman's Club check boats at Hoodoo Point for invasive species, etc. During my 2 hour stay, I checked 9 boats, of which 5 were exiting. One boat was a "no luck" Musky hunter. The other 4 fished specifically for walleyes. Most of them fished for 4 or more hours. 2 boats had no fish and no action, one caught 2 walleyes, one too small and the other a 21", and the last boat reported lots of hits and had 4 nice walleyes. I reported no invasive species, and, of the 4 boats entering, 3 had the plug in and weren't aware it was against the law to travel with it in blush. One guy exiting had a "new" plug that has a bulb mechanism that auto drains when you leave the water. You never take it out shocked. He said a CO told him about it. $9 at L&M.

The past 4 days, my wife and I have been crankbaiting. We've had great fishing averaging ~3 fish/hour. As I have previously stated, the average size for us is larger than fishing bait laughlaugh.

Last evening, my wife suggested we go out this morning and catch our supper. So we did. Normally, I prefer to lay low when everyone has everything that floats on the lake crazy, but, I thought we could sneak out, get our fish, and sneak back before things began to "liven up". Wrong! I like to throw out a marker when fishing really tough water(snags)because, it gives me bearings on where to stay away from. OMG! what a mistake! I had a boat join us that was passing at ~60mph before he saw the marker and whipped in for bit of fishing. Now, two boats. In a very short time, boat #3 joined the party. It appeared that Boat #2 was annoyed with this new arrival because he edged closer to the marker(mine) to stake his territory, I guess. THEN, the crankbait fishermen arrived! They were kind of like gulls trying to steal a perch as they darted as close as possible to that damned marker mad But, guess what? Everyone caught fish grin. The best thing that happened during the melee was my wife and I got to listen to one of the crankbaiters interact with his very young son. Dad let him reel in the fish and, if too big, Dad reeled it in and the little guy netted the fish. The conversations between those two in between fish absolutely made our day.

We went after a couple of walleyes for supper. We caught 10 walleyes including a 23.5",21.5",21",20", and 18". In addition, we got into a swarm of big smallmouth and boated 20 with several 18"-19". I had 2 walleyes in the well, when I ran into some crappies and we managed to catch enough crappies to substitute those for our supper. During the past 4 days crankbait fishing, we haven't even come close to the absolutely phenomenal 4.5 hours we had this morning! Every fish we caught this morning were on crawlers that I got from Casey. If any of you buy some, make absolutely sure you get the ones that have Casey's guarantee wink.

Good Fishing,

MarkB smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you Mark for your endorsement!! Keep in mind I am running for presedent next go around... I still have a bunch of flats I'd like to get rid of.. Let me know ASAP and I can set you up. Glad to hear that we have such a great compliance in regards to invasives!! crazy

Few more days this week and then I'll pretty much be chasing ducks!

Capt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18'-21' has been working for me. I have noticed others fishing areas with leadcore or downriggers that have depths of 35' or more. The 2 areas that I have been fishing have maximum depth of 26', and, for the most part, the depth transitions are gradual. As I said in a prior post, shoreline areas are getting good and the points and sharper contours at the depths I mentioned should be good.

Good Fishing,

MarkB smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds good! I have been dragging some baits around the last few days but I have been averaging only about 1-2 fish an hour. I have been using Down-Deep Husky Jerks which seem to be nicking bottom at about 16-17 ft. Maybe I just need to try some different areas too! Thanks for the heads up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My wife was in "we don't take enough pictures of you" mode this morning so, here are a couple she took.

We had this guy and a couple of his friends over for dinner Saturday night wink

full-32496-24004-002.jpg

My camera time is off by 12 hours due to operator error blush

full-32496-24005-003.jpg

3 spots, 2 rock bass, 1 jumbo, 6 HUGE smallmouth, and 20 walleye this AM grin

full-32496-24006-006.jpg

Good Fishing,

MarkB smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got skunked on my first Casey's Crawlers try, but sure looked like minnows were the winning ticket over by Fectos yesterday....three young girls (and one guy...lucky him) were killing it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got skunked on my first Casey's Crawlers try, but sure looked like minnows were the winning ticket over by Fectos yesterday....three young girls (and one guy...lucky him) were killing it!

It was hammer time for us using a jig and minnows as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

71.3 degrees in Big Bay this morning. I don't have much luck keeping minnows alive for very long when the water is that warm. We generally have good luck with crawlers until late September and then we switch over.

Here are 3 Sept days from my 2011 Journal:

9/27/2011

I went down to ..... and found them just inside the left shoreline ~50 yards south of the big cedar clump. They were on the 17'-21' hump that parallels the shoreline. Crawlers were the ticket. We got 37 total!

9/28/2011

We went back to the same spot as yesterday and caught 34. Once again crawlers were the ticket. Water temp was 57.8

9/30/2011

Dad and I fished today. We boated 13. Today it was all minnows.

The Journal goes on to say that 9/30 was the last day we used crawlers in 2011. Fishing got really good last October/early Nov using just about any kind of minnow that could swim. They keep really good in low 60 and below water.

Good Fishing,

MarkB smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Catching big walleyes is something that I'd rather do than just about anything. It's why we live here. My wife and I debated whether to crankbait this morning or go with bait. We made the right choice wink.

full-32496-24049-005.jpg

My post yesterday had the wrong time by 12 hours, as you can see I fixed the problem. Notice the time on each of these pictures. We caught several of these whoppers in ~ 1 hour! We were so spoiled, my wife had a 21" walleye beside the boat while I was trying to net this one and I basically ignored her fish. She commented that I released her fish as if it were a rock bass laugh. full-32496-24050-006.jpg

As usual, my wife kicked my rear, and of the 8 slotfish or larger that we caught this morning, she caught 5 of them! We caught 17 total walleyes. It's a pretty spectacular outing when 16"-20" walleyes all look like "eaters" whistle.full-32496-24051-010.jpg

Fewer boats, changing leaves, and beautiful fall-like weather made for quite a morning.

full-32496-24052-012.jpg

I will update the fantastic color change over the next few weeks when I update our personal fishing exploits, if there are any smirk

full-32496-24053-011.jpg

Good Fishing,

MarkB smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Once again nice fish and many thanks for the numerous reports you have posted. They are appreciated by those of us who are not able to fish as much as we want.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've seen enough fish pictures to know those are some real Dandys!!! Way to go you two you make it look easy! I fished with a group this afternoon and we did very very well.. I never sat down! We were fishing my go to method for the last few weeks.. Only a few in the slot around 19-21. Try again in the AM!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mark,

your killing me! Now pictures! cry

I didn't think reading your entry's could get any better... grin

Much, much appreciated. wink

Scott

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you haven't yet, it's time to try minnows! Jigs and minnows produced a dozen nice walleyes for two guys in two hours this morning before the wind came up. (Didn't see this wind in the forecast!) 15-17 fow.

RLG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll be heading up there on the 21st and looking forward to some fall fishing. Would it be best to focus my efforts on shoreline structure or the midlake reefs at this point?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have chubs now and will also have light suckers tomorrow sometime. And a few of those Casey's Crawlers are still hanging around.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't ignore the reefs - fish move. I'm not finding fish in typical fall spots yet but we have been fishing shoreline. Today was minnows but yesterday and recently it's been 50/50 So we work crawlers, too until one wins! I'm hoping this wind dies down for a little evening action.

Good luck!

RLG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shorlines a wind mean fun stuff for use.

No pressure an bing bang bong ..its amazingly fun.

Having not fished wallys to seriously for past 12 years do to the hold muskies fish had on me I am amazed at the size of some of these prokers...to fun. Figuring them out has been a fun trip. Sometimes you eat the bar an sometimes the bar eats YOU!

confused

I even got a few on spoons n mepps spinners Monday an when it was all things Vermilion went mental Saturday we had a blast in shallows with 16 & 14 inchers on crawlers, jig an a cork.

Best fun going an the grease got hot.

cool

Enjoy.

T

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We had a small tournament with 8 boats on the east end on Wednesday, a small cold front came through the night before. Every boat caught fish (5-10 walleyes a boat) The wind was crazy but we fought it on big bay and managed 7 walleyes on lindys/spinner rigs and crawlers and 2 on a sucker minnow. 1 boat had downriggers and caught 10 fish and they quit at 11am due to the wind, the winning boat was running leadcore and the other guys were either running lindys or jig and a minnow, one boat caught there fish on shiners. The fish were scattered and you had to work for them, some people fished shoreline breaks, some points, one went north of pine island and we were out in the mud off of structure in 30-40ft.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been doing very well on windy swept rocky/sandy shorelines on Rapala's r/s #5 in the chad and blue color in 12-15 f.o.w. seems the fish are off the bottom 3-4 feet...just enough speed and line out to keep it in that zone....lots of slot fish caught.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How are the water temps looking? Has the HOT summer got the water temps warmer than usual? Thinking of making a fall trip but I need to put in vacation request a few weeks in advance (stupid work!). We usually go the 1st or second week of October but thinking it might be the 3rd week of the month to get the same water temps that we are used to.

Thanks in advance

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Surface temps on Big Bay were 69.3 degrees this morning.

Very good jig and minnow bite in deep water today! All were in fall locations.

Cliff

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well its finally fall and I have some time away from the resort to fish! Walleyes are on the bite, I was trolling a shorline break 18' with a perch colored rap. Took about an hour tonight for these eaters.

Hit me up for some deals on lodging! I can get you HSO friends a comfy cabin for almost free up here this time of year. [email protected]

full-34587-24533-walleyes.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • The title was changed to 2020-21 Lake Vermilion Fishing Reports
  • The title was changed to 2021 Lake Vermilion Fishing Reports
  • The topic was unlocked
  • The topic was pinned

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.