Need help planning a Lake Vermillion fall trip

[Ia Walihntr]

First trip to Lake Vermillion. We will mostly target Walleyes and Northern. (will fish smallmouth and muskies but not as vigorously.) Have looked through the archives and found some answers but have a few more. Here they are:
Strategicly, what part of the lake would you stay. Archives talk about walleyes, muskys, and smallmouth but no mention of northerns. What kind of populations of northern should I expect? And lastly, what are in the area for restaurants? Any suggestions for resorts?
Thanks in advance for the help,
Marv

[Bob Jensen]

Wish I could be of more help on this one. I have fished Vermilion a couple of times, once in the fall.

We caught lots of eater walleyes on the east end in areas that dropped off quickly from shore, wind blowing in to the shoreline.

Fire-Ball jigs and leeches or minnows, this was I believe early September. Later in the year would have been better.

When the fish are deep, keep a close eye on your sonar. It will reveal the areas that hold the most fish.

My experience on Vermilion is entirely with walleyes, early summer and fall. Early summer we caught bigger fish shallow on the west end, fall we caught lots more fish deep on the east end.

That's all I have.


Best Fishes,

[riveter]

Try LakeVermillionresorts.com ,good info site with resorts,rest.,private homes for rent.We fished late Sept. '06,BE CAREFUL !! All of the buoys marking rock reefs were pulled!Nice walleyes&smallies in east end.

[dp]

Try fishingminnesota.com click on fishing reports then click on lake vermilion. Lots of info!

[Burntside lake Guy]

I would fish east of Pike Bay. If your coming up near the end of Sept. I would pull cranks. Dusk slip bobber & Minnow. When things get really tough ( Sept )due to dropping temps try this. Red hook, small split shot 12" up on the line. Drag minnow, troll slowly over rocks and gravel.
Pike Action, fish the back bays, bull rushes, weed line. Water levels can be really high this time a year, so adjust. Troll cast Johnson Silver minnows, medium size black bucktail. If your fishing for Northern, remember they are not king of the lake. Musky is. To get a musky to strike, you need to throw a VW or a hunk of tin at them. Northerns will hit on medium sized lures. Dont use big musky baits for pike. Lodging. Stay at the casino. Best dock system, food.

"fish the rocks, sand and flats, then back again"

[Robert T]

As for accommodations check out Life Of Riley Resort on the north end of Norwegian Bay.Fair prices and great people.As far as fishing, this section of the lake has plenty to offer.The south end of the bay has a cluster of small islands that produce good Walleye & Smallmouth.The western side of the bay look for rocks/weedbeds that break into deep water for larger Northerns and some Musky.The folks at the resort will have a handle on whats going on,just ask.Theres a good little bar/grill just a couple miles away at Wolf Bay.

[MarkG]

I second the suggestion for Life of Riley for all the reasons mentioned. Your only problem is going to be your desire for restaurants. On the this end of the Lake ( Cook side) not much except a breakfast diner and from Like of Riley,being as remote as they are it's about a 12 mile drive on a gravel road.

The East end of the lake in Tower,where the Casino is probably has more. Not familiar with it enough to say for sure.

Riley normally has a great dining hall but at that time of year,except on a special resort Tournament week in Sept,the dining hall is already closed for the year.

I would still consider going there,and just bring all your own food,which is what I would do anyway. All the cabins have decks and grills. The daylight hours that time of year up there are pretty short,you'll have plenty time to party on your deck in the evenings. That's what I would do !

Here is their website,Rock and Lee are good people,check out the Fall Tournament week under "special packages".

http://www.lifeofrileyresort.com/htmls/directory.html

[19runner]

Check the strictly fishing board.