Vermillion

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Vermillion Lake, was conducted on August 6th-7th, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample four stations, and site conditions (e.g., Dense vegetation and soft substrates) prevented the use of a seine at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 14 species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Least Darter) and none that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data was combined with gill net data from a June 2023 survey and trap net data from a July 2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Fathead Minnow). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Vermillion Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River-Headwaters watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Vermillion Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community in Vermillion Lake was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff on 18 July 2023. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot or 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sites with five sites sampled from the boat. A 50-foot seine was used to sample three sites, a 15-foot seine was used at three sites, and soft sediments with abundant vegetation and deep water prevented the use of seines at four sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 16 native species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Least Darter) and no species that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Vermillion Lake on July 18, 2023, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 41 survey sites evenly spaced every 200 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 75.4 (±3.7) out of 100 possible. A score of 75.4 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is Moderate (70-80). Approximately 51 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 61.1 (±5.6) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Poor (50-66), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 90.3 (±1.7) with High (85-92) habitat quality. Data from this survey indicates an exceptional fish community is present in Vermillion Lake and it is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous survey findings, which indicated that Vermillion Lake is fully supporting for aquatic life use based on the Fish IBI. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to Mississippi River - Headwaters Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Vermillion Lake (DOW# 11-0029; Lake Class 31) is a 410-acre lake with 5.04 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 27 feet located north of Remer, Minnesota. A US Forest Service public access is located on the northwest shore off USFS Road #2112. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Vermillion Lake is in Lake Class 31; lakes in this class are generally clear, productive, and have moderate depth. Other area lakes in this class include Bowen, Ox Yoke, Five Point, Child, Lower Trelipe and Little Webb. Vermillion Lake is primarily managed for Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Northern Pike and secondarily for Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Walleye. A special regulation for Sunfish (daily limit five fish, 20 in possession) was implemented in 2022. Vermillion Lake provides multi-species angling opportunities. Bluegill management goals are still being developed for this lake. Sampled Bluegill averaged six inches with fish from three to nine inches sampled. Black Crappie management goals are still being developed for this lake and lengths ranged from five to 12 inches with an average length of eight inches. Northern Pike abundance exceeded management goals and sampled pike ranged in length from 14 to 34 inches with an average length of 21 inches long. Yellow Perch catch rates did not meet management goals and sampled perch ranged in length from five to eight inches with an average length of six inches long. Other fish species sampled include Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Vermillion Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass in Vermillion. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Vermillion. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Vermillion has a maximum depth of 27 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Vermillion is from 2025.

No invasive species are on record for Vermillion in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.