Lake Vermilion

How big is Lake Vermilion?

How deep is Lake Vermilion?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Vermilion?

What are the closest cities to Lake Vermilion?

Are there topographical lake maps available Lake Vermilion?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Lake Vermilion (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Vermilion Lake

Vermilion Lake

Vermilion Lake

Vermilion Lake

Vermilion Lake

Are there boat launches on Lake Vermilion?

Lake Vermilion area businesses:

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Vermilion?

What are the fishing regulations for Lake Vermilion?

There are specific fishing regulations Lake Vermilion that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake Vermilion?

2024 Angling Prospects

Lake Vermilion maintains its status as an excellent multispecies fishery where anglers can experience outstanding catch and harvest opportunities. Results from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries surveys in 2023 indicated walleye abundance remains above average. The high walleye numbers are due to strong recruitment from recent year-classes, with plenty of fish found in the preferred harvest range of 13 to 20 inches. Also, above average numbers of fish in the 10 to 12-inch range captured last fall should provide future catch opportunities along with some harvest possibilities as they grow throughout the upcoming season. An abundance of walleyes over 20 inches will continue to provide memorable catch opportunities throughout the lake while also ensuring plenty of spawners for future generations.

Anglers will also have opportunities to catch other species in Lake Vermilion as well. Anglers targeting muskellunge (muskies) will find opportunities for quality fish with trophy potential. Muskies measuring 45 inches or larger make up a substantial proportion of the population, and a significant number of fish over 50 inches are also present. Anglers targeting smallmouth bass will find good numbers throughout the lake, with West Vermilion holding higher numbers of fish and East Vermilion providing a larger average size. Largemouth bass can be found in very low numbers overall, but certain areas of West Vermilion provide the best angling opportunities. Although northern pike abundance is generally low overall, they do provide catch and harvest opportunities with the possibility for a trophy fish over 40 inches. Above average numbers of yellow perch with a respectable average size were observed in the 2023 survey. Plenty of fish over 10 inches and some over 12 inches were captured which should present harvest opportunities in 2024. Decent numbers of black crappies are available to anglers with higher numbers of fish found in West Vermilion. The crappies have a solid average size with fish over 13 inches in the population. Bluegills are found in much higher numbers in West Vermilion, but the average size tends to run a little smaller in that basin. However, fish over 9 inches can be found throughout the lake. Finally, whitefish and ciscoes (tullibee) offer harvest opportunities that primarily occur during the fall sport gill-netting season while also serving as important prey for the predator species in the lake.

Anglers are reminded that a special regulation exists for walleyes where all fish from 20 to 26 inches must be immediately released. There is a possession limit of four walleyes with only one fish over 26 inches allowed. Anglers are also reminded that since 2019, northern pike have been managed under the Northeast Zone regulations requiring immediate release of all angled fish between 30 and 40 inches with only one over 40 inches allowed in a two fish possession limit. Separate regulations exist for dark house spearing which allows spearers to have two pike in possession but only one may be over 26 inches. All other fish species are managed under current statewide fishing regulations.

Fisheries Management

Lake Vermilion is composed of two major basins, East Vermilion (east of Oak Narrows) and West Vermilion (west of Oak Narrows). Each basin is slightly different in terms of habitat and fish communities. The lake is part of the Minnesota DNR Large Lake Monitoring Program which includes annual fisheries population assessments, fish contaminant and disease inspections, water quality monitoring, zooplankton surveys, aquatic invasive species surveillance, and regularly scheduled creel surveys. Since 1984, standardized fish population assessments have occurred for Lake Vermilion using a variety of sampling gears to collect various fish species at different life stages. Fisheries assessments are standardized to ensure the same sampling gear is used at the same locations during the same time of year to accurately track population trends over time. Length, weight, age, and other scientific data are collected for fish of management concern.

The current Lake Vermilion Fisheries Management Plan summarizes goals, objectives, and activities to help guide fisheries management. Since 1971, DNR has annually operated a walleye spawn take and hatchery each spring, excluding 2020 due to COVID, near the mouth of the Pike River, a major tributary to Lake Vermilion. A proportion of the walleye fry produced annually at the Pike River Hatchery are put back into Lake Vermilion as outlined in the current management plan. The walleye fry stocked into Lake Vermilion are replaced at a higher rate than would be hatched naturally from the eggs taken during spawn take operations. Spawn take operations in 2023 resulted in 5 million walleye fry stocked into Lake Vermilion. In the previous 10 years, outside of 2020, between 5 and 13.5 million fry have been stocked annually in Vermilion. Because the walleye population in Lake Vermilion is primarily driven by natural reproduction, reduced walleye fry stocking rates over the last 25 plus years have not resulted in a decline in abundance, rather abundance has increased due to various factors.

A muskellunge stocking program began in 1987 with the goal of establishing a low-density, high-quality muskie fishery in Lake Vermilion. The current management plan calls for a base stocking quota of 3,000 Leech Lake strain fingerlings annually with up to 2,000 surplus fingerlings per two-year period, as available. In 2023, the base stocking quota of 3,000 fingerlings was achieved along with 14 surplus fingerlings for a total of 3,014 muskie fingerlings stocked. All muskie fingerlings stocked into Lake Vermilion since 2017 (total = 21,635 fish) have been implanted with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags to learn more about the population and further evaluate management strategies. Recently, PIT tagged fish are showing up in fisheries assessments and being reported by anglers who have PIT tag readers. Additionally, recent natural reproduction has been documented.

Walleye

Anglers overwhelmingly come to Lake Vermilion to target walleyes, and walleyes account for the most fish caught and harvested of any species on an annual basis. In 2023, the DNR's fall gill-net survey produced a lakewide walleye catch rate of 16.7 fish/net which was above average for annual surveys since 1984. The 2023 catch rate was nearly identical to the previous two years and marked the fourth consecutive year of above average catches. The high catch rates continue to be driven by recent moderate to strong recruitment. When looking at the individual basins, the 2023 West Vermilion catch rate of 22.1 fish/net was the highest catch rate ever recorded in that basin by a decent margin. This continues a trend of four consecutive years of very high catches in West Vermilion resulting from an exceptionally strong 2018 year-class, followed by another strong year-class produced in 2021, both of which are driving recruitment in that basin. The 2023 East Vermilion walleye catch rate of 13.1 fish/net was fairly low for that basin, falling below the 25th percentile of historical catches. This is partially due to weak recruitment from the 2022 year-class.

Overall, decent numbers of fish can be found from 13 to 20 inches, which is generally the size range anglers prefer to harvest. Additionally, above average numbers of small fish from 10 to 13 inches were present in the population last fall. These fish will grow throughout the 2024 fishing season and provide ample catch and harvest opportunities in 2024 and beyond. High numbers of fish 20 inches and larger will continue to provide memorable catch opportunities throughout the lake.

Since 2016, walleye recruitment in Lake Vermilion has been somewhat boom or bust with strong year-classes occurring in 2016 and 2018 and weak year-classes occurring in 2017 and 2020. This is normal for naturally occurring walleye populations. Preliminary estimates indicate this trend is continuing with a strong 2021 year-class and a weak 2022 year-class. The strong 2018 and 2021 year-classes will continue to bolster the fishery in the near term. Fortunately, consecutive weak year-classes have not occurred since 2008 and 2009.

Fall electrofishing provides useful information on abundance and growth of young-of-the-year (YOY) walleyes near the end of their first growing season. In Lake Vermilion, both the catch rate of YOY walleyes and average length of fish captured help predict future year-class strength. In 2023, the lakewide catch rate of YOY walleyes of 118.3 fish/hour was about average compared to previous surveys dating back to 1988. The fish averaged 5.6 inches in length which was slightly above normal. Based on the catch rate and size of fish captured, the 2023 year-class is likely to be moderate.

Muskellunge

Muskies provide an important catch-and-release sport fishery on Lake Vermilion with the potential for trophy fish. They are typically the second most targeted species by Lake Vermilion anglers behind walleyes. The muskie population was established via a stocking program that began in the late 1980s with the goal of providing a low-density, high-quality fishery. During the most recent targeted assessment conducted in 2019, muskies averaged 44.7 inches with over 40% of fish measuring 45 inches or larger. Additionally, about 11% of the fish sampled were 50 inches or larger. Assessment options for obtaining adult population estimates along with evaluating recent stocking strategies and natural reproduction are being considered for the future.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass are found throughout Lake Vermilion and the population provides an important fishery. They are typically the third most sought after species by Lake Vermilion anglers behind walleyes and muskies. Release rates are very high and minimal harvest occurs. Overall, the smallmouth bass population in Lake Vermilion has shown an increasing trend in abundance over the last three decades. Abundance and size structure are notably different when comparing the two basins, as West Vermilion holds higher numbers of fish that are much smaller on average when compared to East Vermilion. Anglers can find fish over 19 inches in the population.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass are a minor component of the Lake Vermilion fishery and are primarily found in West Vermilion. Few anglers come to Lake Vermilion to specifically target largemouth bass, but the population provides some angling opportunities. They are primarily a catch-and-release species with very high release rates. Largemouth bass are not abundant and are limited to specific areas of preferred habitat in the lake. However, DNR electrofishing, gill-net, and creel data suggests a stable to increasing population, primarily in West Vermilion.

Northern Pike

Northern pike are found in relatively low numbers in Lake Vermilion but are an important gamefish for some anglers and dark house spearers. Higher numbers can typically be found in West Vermilion compared to East Vermilion. In 2023, 12 northern pike (0.6 fish/net) ranging in length from 25 to about 39 inches were captured in gill nets. The low catch rate observed in 2023 continues a declining trend in northern pike abundance that has been observed lakewide over the past three decades. Simultaneously, the size structure has shifted towards larger fish due in part to protected slot limit regulations that have been in place since 2003. Anglers and spearers can find fish with a solid average size and trophy potential.

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch are a primary forage species in Lake Vermilion that also provide anglers catch and harvest opportunities. The 2023 lakewide gill-net catch rate of 30.0 fish/net was slightly above average compared to previous surveys. The average size of those fish was fairly large with notable numbers over 10 inches and even some fish over 12 inches. These fish should provide anglers catch and harvest opportunities in 2024. Abundance and size structure are noticeably different when comparing the two basins, as West Vermilion tends to have higher numbers of fish that are smaller on average when compared to East Vermilion. The 2023 catch rate of 24.3 fish/net in East Vermilion was above average for the basin. The West Vermilion catch rate of 38.5 fish/net was above average for the fifth consecutive year.

Black Crappie

Black crappies are generally a minor component of the Lake Vermilion fishery but can on occasion produce good fishing. Typically, few anglers specifically target them, but they tend to be harvested at a pretty high rate when they are caught. Relatively low numbers are found in Vermilion compared to other area lakes. A targeted spring trap-net survey was conducted in 2023 that had higher catches of black crappies in West Vermilion compared to East Vermilion. Overall, the average size was fairly large at about 10 inches with multiple fish over 13 inches sampled in each basin.

Bluegill

Bluegills can provide significant catch and harvest opportunities for anglers fishing Lake Vermilion. Typically, few anglers specifically target them, but they tend to be the second most caught and harvested species in terms of total numbers behind walleyes. Above average numbers of bluegills are found in Vermilion compared to other area lakes. A targeted spring trap-net survey was conducted in 2023 that had significantly higher catch rates in West Vermilion. Overall, fish averaged a little over 6 inches with fish over 9 inches found in both basins.

Aquatic Invasive Species

Aquatic invasive species are nonnative animals and plants that do not naturally occur in Minnesota waters and cause varying levels of ecological and economic harm. Lake users should follow Minnesota's aquatic invasive species laws to prevent introduction and minimize the spread of invasive species. Several invasive species are present at varying levels in Lake Vermilion including Chinese mystery snails, curly-leaf pondweed, Heterosporis sutherlandae, purple loosestrife, rusty crayfish, and spiny waterflea.

Rusty crayfish, native to the Ohio River basin, are invasive crustaceans that were first captured in fisheries survey gear in Lake Vermilion in 1986. The population rapidly increased and they became abundant in a significant portion of East Vermilion by 1993. Overall, catches of rusty crayfish in the annual gill-net survey display a relatively stable trend since the early 1990s, with considerable annual fluctuations. Rusty crayfish continue to be substantially more abundant in East Vermilion, particularly Big Bay, but the population has continued to expand in West Vermilion. They have significantly reduced aquatic plant beds in certain areas and have displaced native crayfish.

What is the average air temp for Lake Vermilion?

Are there any state parks near Lake Vermilion?