First time lake Vermilion

[10point]

I'm heading up to Vermilion Dam Lodge June 20th in Minnesota for a week. I have never been there and I don't have a whole lot of walleye experience besides fishing in Ontario using a jig with minnow or leech one week a year. How should I plan to fish that time of year? Is a jig and minnow or leech a good plan? I do have some bottom bouncers and lindy rigs I could get out. Really appreciate any advice. I could also troll cranks if need be.

[chaffmj]

I don't fish Vermilion very often but I do fish other lakes in the area and if I was you I would bring all of the above to try. 

[Shulsebus]

My best advice for you is to get a guide for a day. Hopefully at the start of your trip. Trust me their knowledge of the lake is worth the money. To go on what to use. A Lindy rig with a leech or minnow or half a crawler is always a good bet. Usually a 4-6 foot leader. We use and 1/8 or 1/4 ounce egg weight just above our swivel instead of a bottom bouncer. Slip bobbers are a good bet always. We use an 1/8 jig when we slip bobber. If you’re staying at vermilion dam you could cast in the falls area for smallmouth. I as well only fish the lake once a year but this will be my ninth year in a row at the lake. I’m heading up Saturday so I will give a report on how we do. We are staying on the east end. Hope it helps and good luck!

[10point]

8 hours ago, Shulsebus said:

My best advice for you is to get a guide for a day. Hopefully at the start of your trip. Trust me their knowledge of the lake is worth the money. To go on what to use. A Lindy rig with a leech or minnow or half a crawler is always a good bet. Usually a 4-6 foot leader. We use and 1/8 or 1/4 ounce egg weight just above our swivel instead of a bottom bouncer. Slip bobbers are a good bet always. We use an 1/8 jig when we slip bobber. If you’re staying at vermilion dam you could cast in the falls area for smallmouth. I as well only fish the lake once a year but this will be my ninth year in a row at the lake. I’m heading up Saturday so I will give a report on how we do. We are staying on the east end. Hope it helps and good luck!

 

When you say you are using an 1/8 jig when you slip bobber is that the only weight you are using? Not fishing very deep?

[NorthernLights7]

Ask Marty when you get to Vermilion Dam. He'll tell you what to use and where to go. Its an evening bite around Vermilion Dam area (Wolf bay/Van Ryper). May have to travel east during the day. 

[SkunkedAgain]

3 hours ago, NorthernLights7 said:

Ask Marty when you get to Vermilion Dam. He'll tell you what to use and where to go. Its an evening bite around Vermilion Dam area (Wolf bay/Van Ryper). May have to travel east during the day. 

You've gotten the best advice. Talk to the owners of VDL. They can also point you in the direction of a guide. If you are spending all of the money to be up there for a week, make it worth it by spending a little more to get great fishing advice from a guide.