Vermilion Lake,MN

[Karl Phillips]

I am trying to put a trip together for Lake Vermilion in Norhtern Mn, and was wondering if anyone had any insight. I was planning on going sometime in the end of June or middle of July. HOw is the lake as far as depth and rocky surprises ? Is it fairly easy to navigate? Does it get real rough >? I have a Princecraft 169, is that too big to get through some of the channels or too small for some of the big water?..Also how is the lake as far as people?, can you fish all day and not see anyone or is it like fishing on the Eagle River chain in mid summer (jet ski's and waterskiers buzzing past all day.)

and how is the fishing? going mostly for Walleye and NOrhtern, but Musky and smallies are always nice :)

plus, if anybody cares to share their Vermilion lake experience, please tell...Thanks in advance.

Karl Phillips
Sheboygan, WI

Karl_phillips@yahoo.com

[Craig]

I would get a very good map, as submerged structure will sneak up on you pretty quick. There are buoys to aid in navigation, but you'll need a GPS or great map skills. As far as fishing, a Hotspots map should tell some good information. Personally, for walleyes I would look for some of the rocky humps around 18 to 20 ft. For smallies, I would use a suspending jerk bait(husky jerks, LuckyCraft, YoZuri ect) off main lake points and some of the very shallow rock reefs that drop off into deeper water. It is not uncommon to pick up muskie, walleye, northern, or smallies doing this, especially in the early morning. If you can skip docks you will be able to catch a lot of smallies on the east end of Vermillion. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. I will try to help!

[Rip Lips]

Being A Wi boy and knowing the traffic on Eagle river chain .I would say this lake is just as bad if not worse,I was up there one weekend in june last year.Smallies and eyes are the best thing to go for as far as Iam concerned.If you want the big boys take the the drive to the Woods.Good luck.P.S-you thought Eagle chain has some nice shacks on it wait till you see the places on this lake!

[Me Too]

I also have just started to look into spending a week at Vermillion Lake around the end of July. Can anyone suggest a good family resort that has a nice launching ramp and beach for the kids nearby? I am also wondering if there are any good places on the lake for tent camping as that would be an option too. I usually like to hire a guide for a day to learn my way around. Can you suggest a good guide on the lake? I fish for whatever is prime at the time, but do like to occasionally musky fish with a guide. That way I see alot of water in a day and I learn a lake faster, plus it just seems like I get more for my money. For the other species, it just doesn't seem like I need a guide as much. If this kind of request is considered advertising I apologize, but the info really would help me a great deal. I want to get going on this before all the big sport shows start their bookings. THANKS

[Phil T.]

We were there about three years ago. The campground that was recommended to us as the best on the lake was overcrowded, and really showed its age. I think I'd go with a resort.
As for navigation, there are hazard bouys all over the lake, and they are numbered so they can be replaced if blown loose by the wind. There is a map published with all the bouys and their numbers on it. It is possible to find your way with just that. Take at lest binoculars, because you are to stay 25 yard away from any bouy, and the numbers aren't that big. Also ask if the lake is at normal or low levels. It was lw when we were there, and my lower unit found an immoveable object. You are at the edge of the iron range, so your compass won't work. Take a GPS, if you own one.
The big eastern part of the lake seemed to be home of the pwc, the western third was much quieter, more fishermen.
Vist their website, www.lakevermilion.com. Good information about the lodging available.

[Tommy Mac]

Karl,

First you have to understand that Lake Vermilion is HUGE. Lets start by saying there are three main parts to the lake. Wakeumup Bay\Head Of The Lakes Bay on the western end. Frazer Bay\Daisy Bay in the middle and Big Bay on the eastern end. Picking up a Fishing Hot Spots or simular map would be a good start to learning a lot about the lake, or check out the web site mentioned in a earlier post. You should be alright with you 16 footer. Big Bay can roll at times but there are a lot of small bays and pockets to fish throughout the lake. Most all of the hazards are clearly marked. I would ask one of the locals for any unmarked hazords in the part of the lake you plan on fishing. There are not many, and the ones that are unmarked are almost always in a place where you would have to be crazy to drive fast through in the first place.

Even though I guide on the lake I have never camped or stayed at any of the resorts. There are good landings close to a lot of the campsites. With Resorts you ussually get what you pay for.

Last summer the fishing was fantastic. What do you want to catch? Vermilion has it all. I concentrate on Walleyes mostly but do spend a good deal of time Muskie fishing as well. Small Mouth and Northern fishing is also very good. In late June and into July Walleyes are deep. I concentrate on points that run into deep water fishing the base of the transition areas. Other good area's include islands and sunken islands that have a nice transition of rock to sand or soft bottom in the 14 to 31 ft. range. You will also find Walleyes as shallow as 3 and 4 ft early and late in the day as well as during dark days. I guess thats why they call it fishing. I like use jigs and minnows or leech's. Live bait rigging crawlers and leechs is a good apporach too. I would shop for a snag free sinker such as Lindy's Snagless. Northland Tackle rattle bead jigs have been a good choice and I also like there Weed Weasel's as they tend to be a little snag resistant. I'm thinking that the new glow tubes will work great.

Fishing pressure on Vermilion is not as bad as some other popular bodies of water. As ussual weekdays are best. Good Luck, e-mail me if I can help more. Tom