Located in an area of Northern Minnesota known for its beautiful surroundings and incredible sunsets, Lake Vermillion is the premier location for both avid anglers and those searching for a quiet weekend getaway. Lake Vermillion is a natural freshwater lake with an abundance of different species of game fish. Anglers who visit Lake Vermilion will have many opportunities to experience some the best adventures that fishing can offer.
Species | Crappie, LM Bass, SM Bass, Musky/Pike, Walleye |
Fishing
Lake Vermilion has a wide and diverse community of game species that allow for excellent sport fishing. The primary game fish of Lake Vermilion include crappie, bluegill, musky, largemouth bass, northern pike, sunfish, smallmouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch.
The musky of Vermilion are a favorite target among trophy fishermen. Lake Vermilion musky relate to rocky structure, shallow weedy bays, drop-offs and open water near feeding areas. When the musky season opens in June, their location is pretty predictable. Post-spawn muskies love thick weeds and targeting the inside weed edges in thick cover can be productive. Try fishing Everetts Bay, Big Bay and Pike Bay on the east side of the lake as these areas hold a lot of fish. As the water warms in the summer months look for deeper weed beds and points off the many Vermillion islands. Fish faster with spinners or try topwater for the ultimate musky experience. With whitefish and cisco making up the majority of the musky forage in Lake Vermillion it’s a great idea to match their color with large jerkbaits in the fall as the muskies feed aggressively.
Northern pike is another species that fishermen in search of a challenge tend to target. As it is with bass, this species can be found near the weed beds adjacent to open waters. During the morning and evening feeding times, anglers should resort to targeting shallower waters such as those near Fly Island, Pine Island, and the weed beds of Frazer Bay.
Walleye can also be targeted in Lake Vermilion. Smaller walleye can be caught frequently in shallow waters during the spring spawning season, but fishermen can target much larger ones in the open waters by trolling and using light tackle throughout most of the year. The largemouth bass is a popular target that can be found near Lake Vermilion’s drop-offs during feeding times. When the shallow waters become warmer during mid-day, bass tend to move to deeper waters. Anglers in search of this species should target areas such as Frazer Bay and near the weed beds of Pine Island.
Vermilion’s smallmouth bass can be targeted throughout the lake’s many rocky areas. Check the many islands off of Cable Bay for aggressive smallmouth. Despite the presence of some well known trophy targets, there are smaller, less challenging species that are excellent for beginners and recreational fishermen. The crappie, bluegill, sunfish, and perch of Lake Vermilion are all species that are excellent those who simply wish to enjoy a relaxing day on the water. These species can be caught in the shallow waters of the lake near weed beds and obstacles such as submerged timber. These fish are abundant, are mighty tasty and can be caught with relative ease.
Facilities
Lake Vermilion has many public access points including paved boat landings, docks, and fishing piers. Tackle shops, restaurants, fueling stations, and lodging are also nearby.
The Lake
Lake Vermilion is a large freshwater lake with a many weed beds along the shoreline. This lake has a maximum length of 10.4 miles and a width of 24 miles. It has a surface area of 39,271 acres. At its deepest point, Lake Vermilion is 76 feet. The shoreline of Vermilion measures out to roughly 313 miles. Depending on rainfall and silt, the water clarity fluctuates between 4 to 10 feet. Lake Vermilion is located 1,358 feet above sea level.
Lake Vermilion is both an excellent location for high quality fishing and sightseeing.
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