First time to Vermilion

[Guest]

After reading this forum it souds like I'll be one of many newcommers to Lake Vermilion. My family and I will be staying at Vermilion Dam Lodge June 22 thru the June 29. We like to fish for bass and pike most of the time but I would love to catch a muskie (would be my first). We release almost everything we catch with the exception of enough crappie or bass for one meal. I,m looking forward to exploring the lake and all its structure but was wondering if it would be worth while to spend a day on the river sense we are going to be so close. Thanks for any advise.

[Walleye #1]

Rob--
That area of the lake is great. I have stayed at the Dam Resort a couple of years and loved it. I am sure your family will enjoy it also. As for the fishing.....
I have had very good success catching Northerns up by the dam. It depends how big of Northerns you are looking for. I would say that the dam area is really good for catching 5lb on up fish. We have even caught some nice fish around 12-15 and even lost a couple at the boat that would around 20lbs. Look for the deep cabbage beds. There is all kinds of bays up there that you can hit. There is a bay with a blue water slide that you can catch some nice fish, also the both bays next to it, on either side. The one to the west, usually has a nice deep weed bed in the far back corner. I had a really nice follow there last year.
Also don't be afraid to work around Knotts Island and the shoreline where the houses are. There is a few rice beds along the shoreline. Van Ryper Bay has some fish in it, when the wind is blowing in, but there is all kinds of sunken logs floating around, so if you want to go in there, lift the outboard, and go in with a trolling motor.
My favorite lure for Northerns is the spinner bait and buzzbait. White, yellow, chartreuse, black/orange are my favorite colors. Also I have caught a few fish on spoons, so they could be worth a try. Hope the trip goes well, I know that by the time you leave you won't want to leave the lake.

Good Luck
Jason