Requesting Vermillion Pike Tips

[Squirt]

Going to lake vermillion for the first time. June 13. Staying near Arrow Head Point, Isle of Pines. Only have a small boat with 15 HP so looking for some tips for where to go for big pike that is reasonably close given my boat. I do not mind a drive, but I know how conditions can get on big water.  I also plan to go to Trout Lake (reason for bringing the small boat) If anyone has tips on Trout Lake for Pike.  Thanks and #tightlines!

[SkunkedAgain]

I don't know that area of the lake well, but maybe it's because I am hungry, but I saw "pike tips" as the name on this thread and it made me hungry. It reminded me of rib tips and walleye wings!

 

Good luck fishing. You should be able to find great pike just about anywhere. Just hunt the usual spots.

[97procraft]

I was just there last week.  Pike were a little slow, but they should be getting better.  Find the weeds.  Throw unweighted swimbaits or flukes close to the bank and work them out through the weeds.  Stop working them at the edge of the weeds and let them sink.  If you don't get hit in the weeds, there is a good chance they will hit it on the fall at the edge. 

[Roseypike19]

On 5/31/2020 at 11:31 AM, Squirt said:

Going to lake vermillion for the first time. June 13. Staying near Arrow Head Point, Isle of Pines. Only have a small boat with 15 HP so looking for some tips for where to go for big pike that is reasonably close given my boat. I do not mind a drive, but I know how conditions can get on big water.  I also plan to go to Trout Lake (reason for bringing the small boat) If anyone has tips on Trout Lake for Pike.  Thanks and #tightlines!

Hi Squirt, 

 

The previous tips are all good regarding pike on Vermilion.  Find some shallow reeds/weeds and you will find some nice sized pike (Average = 20-30" with a bigger fish at times). 

 

What is your definition of a "big" pike? The shallow program is fun and that's how I do most of my pike fishing, but overall that is not how you will find the biggest pike on Vermilion.  I'm talking East Vermilion as that's the basin I fish.  By now many of the biggest pike are suspended and feeding on ciscoes in deep water.  They will make occasional forays into the shallows to follow food (think windy days), but they spend much of their time suspended over the depths.  

 

Several really good areas very near you have this potential: 1. The narrows between Moccasin Point and Pine Island.  You can't miss this area on a map.  There is BIG pike potential here.  2. The deep water break on the east side of Isle of Pines.  I have literally seen giant pike chasing ciscoes out of the water here (also a fantastic muskie spot).  

 

Those two areas are a literal stones throw from your place.  

 

How do you fish the deep water?  IDK!  Like I said, I'm a shallow pike program guy.  The few times I've done the deep suspended thing we found the bait and big hooks on sonar and then jigged 1 oz hair jigs and/or 1 oz lead heads with a white fluke.  It worked, but it was technical and tough.  If I ever do it again (maybe later this summer), I'll troll big plugs at the depth just above the fish.  

 

Last week we had a lot of fun catching many nice pike in the shallow weeds, but our two biggest fish (including a 40"er), came on a very windy, cloudy day while fishing shallow rocky points adjacent to deep water.   Coincidence?  I think not.  So definitely take advantage of those windy, cloudy days if you expect to find a giant.  In my experience, those conditions provide your best shot a true trophy pike from shallow water.  (Of course there are some exceptions and any cast on Vermilion could land a big pike!)

 

Otherwise, ply the suspended depths and report back what you find. 

 

Good luck.    

[Squirt]

RoseyPike 19 and all, Thank you for the tips. Very good instructions and specifics that I can see on the map. I will give these a try. For big pike I am looking for 40 inch plus.... I also like fishing the shallows as you say for the 20 - 30 as I like to eat pike. I think the fillets are the best minnesota offers. For the deep fish I have the tackle and divers to get down 30 - 40 so I will try that. You also gave me specifics around where I am staying, so I will report back on how I do.

 

Thanks all!

[Roseypike19]

Sounds great Squirt.  Good to hear you have plugs that will hit those depths, but more than likely you'll only need something in the 10-20' range...maybe even higher in the water column.  Hope you get to find out!  

 

We also eat a few pike.  My personal slot ends at about 25-26" - everything bigger goes back - but the new NE MN limits allow harvest up to 30".  Northern nuggets are tasty, and I've never had anyone who could tell me the difference when presented side by side with walleye.  

[chucker1101]

work the area between Daisy and Banana Island, it's near where you're at. There are three hazard markers there, just be careful with your lower unit

 

There are plenty of Pike spots in Daisy Bay - study the map and follow the wind. 8-10' breaklines where the wind is blowing into. Look for mid-lake structure that support Ciscos and Perch.

[Squirt]

Thank you @chucker1101.  I have a short motor. Good ol 2 stroke so I can get in close.  I will post results. Took the motor on a test run today, so getting ready