I am fishing a bass tournament on this lake the first week of June next year. Can anybody tell me anything about the lake? What works what doesnt water clarity anything at all?

The water is an auburn color-stained by iron ore. Crayfish are a major food source for smallies. The ice will stay on the lake into May, but because of the dark water, the lake heats up quickly-it is usually approaching 45-50 by mid to late May. The lake is relatively shallow for its size-many smallie fisherman are found anchored around the numerous hazard markers all over the lake which mark the shallow rock piles (Fectos and Sunset island have some buoys that are commonly fished). I have had good success around Spider Island and Hinsdale island. Many of the narrows on the lake holds smallies too. There are some nice size largemouth-but they arent that many. I have caught nice largemouths in Everests and Greenwood bay. One spot where they are common is the dock harbor at Pehrsons resort.

I havent fished the west end of the lake too much-so maybe someone else can chime in for that area.

Phil,
Smallies are more prevelent on the lake but largemouths win tournaments, especially on this lake. I have fished a few ProAms on Vermilion and the docks around the lake will win you tournaments. Go to mnbasstour.com and see the tournament results from this past year, there were some pretty heavy bags and most were largemouths caught around docks.

If it's a largemouth tourney, go to the lake 2 weeks before and scout the shallows. Find where they are spwaning and start in the areas adjacent to those areas--new weed beds, drop offs, maybe some docks?. Also look for Crappies, they will tell you where the bass are. I'm not sure if the dock pattern will work at that time of the year, it may be a bit early depending on the spring thaw. Find Something is fishy around here.