How is the small jaw fishing on Lake Vermillion?

[Crankn]

I just got back from a snowmobile trip up by Lake Vermillion. I have been riding up there for 25 years, but have never fished up there in the summer. Hell, I even went to college at UMD in Duluth! Shame on me, right? I just caught the bass fishing bug since I moved to Iowa a few years back. Anywho, We rode the length of Vermillion last weekend a couple times, and I started thinking about how the summertime fishing is up there? Where the hell does one start on that lake? Are there many derbys up there each summer? Thanks all.

[M1RT]

Terrible - don't waste your time.

[Fishysam]

Heard it's ok but not like the nice walleyes, and a few years ago it was the best Muskie lake in the world. Now it's not that hot but it's still a destination lake...

[Crankn]

We rode the entire length of the lake east/ west and we didn't see 10 shacks on the ice. I thought that was strange.

[M1RT]

Perhaps my sarcasm didn't transfer via my post. Vermilion is an outstanding fishery, for both Largemouth and Smallmouth. It has incredibly diverse habitat and bass (both species) are generally under targeted. Among the vast choices we have in Minnesota, Vermilion ranks in my personal top 3. There aren't many lakes in the Upper Midwest where you have a legit shot at catching a 5 lb. largemouth and smallmouth in the same day. Add in the fact that it's a world renown Musky fishery and has a substantial walleye population, and it's really a fisherman's paradise.

Plenty of resorts, a casino if that's your thing, state campground, and many private cabins on VRBO.

[basscla]

You will enjoy the fishing, no doubt.

[mn_bowhunter]

Awesome fishery. From the narrows to the east, that's generally smallmouth waters with more shelf or shale glacier rock. From the narrows west, that's generally more weed bays (and still rock but not as much) and your largemouth territory.

Tons of fun to fish (if it's not blowing) and plenty of opportunities to catch both numbers and size.

[Crankn]

Perhaps my sarcasm didn't transfer via my post. Vermilion is an outstanding fishery, for both Largemouth and Smallmouth. It has incredibly diverse habitat and bass (both species) are generally under targeted. Among the vast choices we have in Minnesota, Vermilion ranks in my personal top 3. There aren't many lakes in the Upper Midwest where you have a legit shot at catching a 5 lb. largemouth and smallmouth in the same day. Add in the fact that it's a world renown Musky fishery and has a substantial walleye population, and it's really a fisherman's paradise.

Plenty of resorts, a casino if that's your thing, state campground, and many private cabins on VRBO.

Oh I picked up on it and enjoy the finer points of smartassery (trademarked word by the way). I have been busy with work and dealing on my new boat to get back on here much this week. I have been going up there for most of my life and am amazed at the scenery each time. It never gets old. I need to get up there in the summer.

Are there shallow boulder danger spots sprinkled throughout the lake? I assume a navionics chip is priceless on that lake.

[mn_bowhunter]

Navionics or Lakemaster. There are a few submerged boulder piles that are not buoyed on the lake. However your map should show the contours as 1-3 feet in those areas out in the main lake. Just make sure you aren't running on plane near them, or even idling over them. You'll mess up your hull in a hurry.

[Crankn]

Thanks for the info all. I am from Monticello, and get back there fishing a few times a summer. I would love to try some boater only tourneys in the west/ northwest counties around the metro.

[FryDog62]

Don't overlook the Vermilion River if you like smallmouth, 5 lbs+ in there and a lot less pressure than the lake. A good spot to go when its too windy on the main lake. A lot of pike which can be a good or bad thing, but they tend to be very large.