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

Musky mike,  I am right there with you!  I ventured from the east end all the way to black bay the other day without even a bite from a crappie. Sooner or later I will stumble on to them. ?

  • Confused 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Muskie-mike, outdoor1

Try fishing in 6-10 feet of water. I have good luck using

fixed bbobber a jig and minnow set 2-4 feet down, casting

and slowly retrieving it. A beetlespin/minnow also works.

Fish on!

  • Thumbs Up 2
  • I Like it 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well I go back a ways,fishing Vermilion for 44 years or so...only found 1 crappie in the area this year...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Been fishing far west end since 1969. Crappie numbers have been up and down. They are extremely vulnerable to overharvest a few times a year especially right at that June 1 spawn time. We do target them but do 95% catch and release. Had a group of 15 guys at resort we stay at in 2018 all keep their limits of those big prespawn fish. Fishing for them this year was way off.11267760_900318370032530_7234837730360465780_n.thumb.jpg.3c4bb25f336c4baa6e4af7c258f53cbd.jpg

  • Thumbs Up 2
  • l Love It 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That’s a big one!  Maybe 16”-17”?  

 

The group of 15 all keeping their limit-  I suppose they were all fishing in the same place ?  So they basically wiped out that whole school!  Doesn't seem right but that’s the rules.  Only way to prevent that is to change the rules for spawning time.  

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Wow, ❤ 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, StillFishin' said:

That’s a big one!  Maybe 16”-17”?  

 

The group of 15 all keeping their limit-  I suppose they were all fishing in the same place ?  So they basically wiped out that whole school!  Doesn't seem right but that’s the rules.  Only way to prevent that is to change the rules for spawning time.  

Sure thing.  If it is really a problem, some special regs could be put in place.   Maybe reduce the limit to 5, or put in a slot or maximum length.   I'm all for that if there is a real issue.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • I Like it 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, delcecchi said:

Sure thing.  If it is really a problem, some special regs could be put in place.   Maybe reduce the limit to 5, or put in a slot or maximum length.   I'm all for that if there is a real issue.


Or, put a season on them like gamefish to protect the spawners.  But it would be anarchy!!

 

The DNR knows our overall panfish size structure needs some help and is trying everything BUT a closed season.  Slot limits, reduced limits, special pike regs, etc.  why not just protect them when they’re the most vulnerable?

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, Wanderer said:


Or, put a season on them like gamefish to protect the spawners.  But it would be anarchy!!

 

The DNR knows our overall panfish size structure needs some help and is trying everything BUT a closed season.  Slot limits, reduced limits, special pike regs, etc.  why not just protect them when they’re the most vulnerable?

Sure, closed season might be a good idea too.   Although, like bass, the spawn is so late as to make closing the season north of highway maybe impractical.     Best thing is to convince folks to throw them back and eat them walleyes instead.  Or, lord save me, a few smallies.  ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any updates on walleyes on the east end? Will be up this weekend for the first time this year. Shaping up to be great fall weather and my guess is the fish will be biting like crazy. Can't get overly optimistic though. I'll have 3 other guys in a black Lund somewhere on the east end. Stop by and we'll toss you a beer!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished Thursday-Saturday this week and caught only 12 walleyes in 2½ days, half as many as I caught two weeks ago.  Fishing was quite slow for me, and the walleyes were biting very light.  At least this week there were some decent meal size fish as only 2 were dinks along with 3 slot fish.  Caught another 26" walleye pictured, and this one weighed 5#-11oz, 1oz more than the one I caught two weeks ago.  Maybe it was the same fish and added another ounce.  Weather was nice today and it brought out a lot of boats as shown in the second photo.  Fishing wasn't good enough to deal with this crowd so I quit early.  Good luck fishing, and enjoy the fall.

20191019_093345.jpg

20191019_122838.jpg

  • Thumbs Up 3
  • l Love It 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We fished Thursday-Sunday as well. Didn't do fantastic but ate fish all 3 mornings and all 4 of us went home with a limit. Kept 8 on Thursday and Saturday and 7 on Friday. I didn't fish Sunday morning but they picked up a few more then too. Size was very good. Most of our keepers were 15-19 inch fish. Got a 23 and a super fat 26" for slot fish. The 26 had to be an 8 pound fish-never seen one that fat on vermilion. Also ran into a 37" northern and a couple nice bass and perch. Thursday and Friday was exclusively an afternoon bite for us. All keepers came after 2:30pm. Saturday they bit all day. Lots of skinned minnows from short bites, probably 3:1 missed to caught ratio. 

 

We did most of our damage in 26-30 feet off the edges of reefs in big bay and Frazer. Tried to drift or troll around 0.5-0.7mph. Usually like to go slower but wind made it tough at times. A longer leader on the lindy seemed to be the key. About 5 feet long compared to the usual 3. Couple of the guys threw a spinner on and that was the ticket at times as well. Not fast enough to spin but I think the fish were really hugging the bottom and maybe a little flash or stirring the mud up got them to go. Also found light biters but the larger the minnow the harder the hit. Ystore was out of pike suckers Saturday so we got light northern instead and the walleyes were smacking those hard.  

 

All in all another successful trip. Somehow the October weather cooperated! 

  • Thumbs Up 3
  • l Love It 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had similar experience to everyone else. I found my hook up percentage was a little better with jig and pike suckers then rigs and light northern. Lots of skinned minnows. Even if I give them a long time they wouldn’t have the whole minnow in their mouth. Most fish in 28-30, but did real well in 40' hole also. Lots of husky eaters and a fat 26. not many small fish. It’s been a great fall.

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished zero hours this weekend, but did get the dock raised and took care of a bunch of other projects. Snow shovels are out for my next trip! I'm hoping to find open water in November for a final trip, but know that it's not likely!

  • Wow, ❤ 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

BrianF - good to hear.  I was up last weekend with the wife and puppy so I didn't have much opportunity to fish.  Snuck out for a couple of hours Sunday morning and only caught a 13" walleye, 13" perch, and 25" northern.  Missed a couple other nice walleyes that stripped the back of the minnow like others have noted.  Going up Tuesday-Thursday this week to close the trailer for winter so I hope to have better luck fishing (and reporting).  Water temp was 43F in Stuntz Bay.

  • Thumbs Up 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm headed up friday. This might be my last weekend as the forecast looks absolutely brutal going forward. Anyone still fishing?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

38 minutes ago, delcecchi said:

Seems early.... or is it my imagination?

Would be much earlier than normal, and may be the earliest I can ever remember.  Normally Thanksgiving is early to be out.  Last year Big Bay froze on November 18th and I was ice fishing on Vermilion on November 29.  But the weather looks very cold for the next 10 days and the lake has already started to freeze.

  • Wow, ❤ 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We were ice fishing Niles Bay last year on Nov. 18th, with the ice being 4.5” thick.  Will be up the weekend of Nov. 16/17 and hoping for a repeat.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last weekend (especially Saturday) was brutal.  I brought the boat home and it's done for the year. It's going to be a long winter.  

  • Confused 1
  • Wow, ❤ 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Buddy of mine went to hunt pelican yesterday and told me that it was locked up so it's coming fast. 10 day forecast on the range shows highs in the mid 20s and lows into single digits. Guessing I'll be on smaller water in a week and a half or so

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
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 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 :)

    • Kettle
      Walked today and yesterday, flushed 9, shot at two and got two. Hopefully next year I'll have a dog to hunt with. Still warm up here, skim of ice on ponds. Weather has been nice. Hopefully walk a bit more the next few weeks. Been pretty cautious walking for birds to not interfere with deer hunters. There sure are not the deer hunters there used to be 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
×
×
  • 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.