Vermilion

Management Summary Lake Vermilion is managed to support a high-quality, multi-species fishery driven largely by strong natural reproduction for most species. The lake is intensively monitored and managed by the Minnesota DNR through long-term annual surveys, periodic creel surveys, stocking programs for Walleye and Muskellunge, ecological monitoring, outreach, and management planning activities. Harvest for most species is regulated using statewide seasons and limits except for Walleye, which has a 4 fish limit with a 20-26-inch protected slot. Northern Pike are managed with the northeast zone regulation that allows a 2 fish limit with a 30-40-inch protected slot. Like many large lakes, Vermilion is dealing with aquatic invasive species. Zebra mussels are now considered established, based on the presence of larvae, even though adult mussels have not been documented. Rusty crayfish are also well established, particularly in East Vermilion, where they have altered habitat by reducing aquatic vegetation. Finally, spiny waterfleas may be encountered especially when trolling. For anglers, this means potential changes in fish location and an increased responsibility to prevent further spread. Cleaning boats and gear is not just a rule-it's part of protecting the fishery. 2026 Angling Outlook Lake Vermilion stands out as a destination where anglers can target multiple species in one trip-and realistically succeed at several. Whether you're after a meal of Walleyes, a trophy Muskie, or steady bass action, the lake offers a wide range of experiences. 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. Lake Vermilion's two basins can create distinct fishing experiences. West Vermilion generally offers higher fish numbers across several species, making it a strong choice for action and consistency. East Vermilion, on the other hand, often produces larger fish on average, appealing to anglers focused on size. The opposite is generally true when it comes to Walleyes, as East Vermilion generally has higher numbers, but West Vermilion produces a larger average size. Understanding this split can help anglers tailor their approach depending on whether they want numbers, size, or a mix of both. Walleye: Walleye fishing remains the backbone of the Vermilion experience. Survey data from 2025 showed one of the highest catch rates in over four decades. The 2026 season should be especially rewarding for anglers looking to harvest fish. Strong numbers of Walleyes in the 13-20-inch range mean plenty of legal fish under the protected slot. Fish in the 12-15-inch range are particularly abundant, providing good harvest opportunities. At the same time, larger Walleyes are common enough to provide big fish opportunities. Fish over 20 inches are widely available, giving anglers a shot at memorable catches even while targeting smaller fish for harvest. The current regulation requires release of fish from 20 to 26 inches, with a four-fish limit and only one over 26 inches allowed. For anglers, that means a balanced fishery featuring good harvest opportunities without sacrificing the chance at bigger fish. Muskellunge: Muskies provide a world-class sport fishery on Lake Vermilion with the potential for trophy fish. Muskies are second only to Walleyes in terms of popularity for Lake Vermilion anglers. Recent surveys show an average size just under 45 inches, with over 40% of fish exceeding that mark. Fish over 50 inches are present in sufficient numbers to provide trophy opportunities. For anglers, this creates a classic Muskie experience: fewer strikes, but every one of them matters. Vermilion has earned its reputation as a world-class destination because those rare encounters can turn into truly exceptional fish. 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. Results from the 2025 spring electrofishing survey suggest numbers remain high which continues the upward trend over the last three decades. Anglers can expect steady action with fish in the 10-17-inch range, along with the occasional larger bass. The lake's two basins offer slightly different experiences. West Vermilion tends to produce more fish overall, while East Vermilion gives anglers a better shot at larger individuals. For anglers looking for numbers, action, and aggressive strikes, Smallmouth Bass are a dependable option throughout the season. Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass are not a primary draw on Vermilion, but they do offer a quiet alternative for anglers willing to seek them out. They are found mainly in West Vermilion in specific habitats. Numbers are low, but the population appears stable or increasing. Most anglers treat them as a catch-and-release bonus rather than a target species. Northern Pike: Northern Pike are found in low abundance in Lake Vermilion, but anglers seeking them can find higher numbers in West Vermilion. Northern Pike are less abundant than in the past, but the fish that remain are generally larger. Regulations protecting mid-sized fish have shifted the population toward bigger individuals. Anglers can expect a lower catch rate, but with the possibility of occasional trophies. In 2025, sampled pike length averaged almost 27 inches with the largest fish measuring about 36 inches suggesting anglers and spearers can find fish with a solid average size. Panfish and Perch: Yellow Perch numbers are currently below average, but size is good. Anglers willing to search can still find fish over 10 inches, which are well worth keeping. Black Crappies are generally a minor component of the Lake Vermilion fishery that can provide good fishing opportunities at certain times. Black Crappies are not abundant, but they run large. Fish average around 10 inches, with some exceeding 14 inches. West Vermilion holds more fish overall, though both basins can produce quality catches. Bluegills can provide catch and harvest opportunities for anglers fishing Lake Vermilion. Typically, very few anglers come to Lake Vermilion seeking Bluegills, but they tend to be one of the most caught and harvested species in terms of total numbers. Fish over 9 inches are available throughout the lake, with higher numbers in West Vermilion.

2025 Angling Prospects Lake Vermilion is an exceptional multispecies fishery that is a destination for anglers to experience tremendous catch and harvest opportunities. Results from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) fall survey in 2024 indicated walleye numbers may be down slightly in 2025 from recent years. Anglers may also notice differences in catch and harvest rates between the east and west basins. Above average numbers of fish were found in West Vermilion with notable numbers under 17 inches resulting from recent moderate to strong year-classes produced in that basin. Slightly below average numbers were found in East Vermilion, partially the result of a weak 2022 year-class. However, a moderate number of those fish were in the preferred harvest range of 13 to 20 inches. A decent number of smaller fish in the system will likely grow into the size range anglers prefer. Anglers will also have opportunities to catch other species in Lake Vermilion. 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. Yellow perch numbers were down in the 2024 survey, but plenty of fish over 10 inches in the population will present harvest opportunities in 2025. Black crappie numbers are moderate compared to other lakes in the area with more fish found in West Vermilion. The crappies sampled in recent spring surveys were large, averaging close to 10 inches, with fish over 14 inches in the population. Vermilion produces moderate numbers and size for bluegills. Higher numbers can be found in West Vermilion, but 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. A special regulation exists for walleyes where all fish from 20 to 26 inches must be immediately released, and the possession limit is 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. The hatchery is located near the mouth of the Pike River, which is 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. In 2024, 9.1 million walleye fry were stocked into Lake Vermilion. In the previous 10 years, outside of 2020, between 5.0 and 10.0 million walleye 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 2024, the base stocking quota of 3,000 fingerlings was achieved along with 17 surplus fingerlings for a total of 3,017 muskie fingerlings stocked. All muskie fingerlings stocked into Lake Vermilion since 2017 (total = 24,652 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, natural reproduction has been documented. Walleye Most anglers come to Lake Vermilion to fish for walleyes, and walleyes account for the most fish caught and harvested of any species on an annual basis. In 2024, the DNR's fall gill-net survey produced a slightly below average lakewide walleye catch rate which was a decline from higher catches observed during the previous four years. The lower catch rate was the result of recent weaker year-classes produced in 2020 and 2022. When looking at the individual basins, the 2024 West Vermilion catch rate was above average. This continues a trend of five consecutive years of high catches in West Vermilion largely resulting from an exceptionally strong 2018 year-class and a strong 2021 year-class. Low numbers of fish showing up from the 2022 year-class in East Vermilion are partially to blame for the slightly below average walleye catch rate in that basin in 2024. Overall, fair numbers of fish can be found from 13 to 20 inches lakewide, which is generally the size range anglers prefer to harvest. Additionally, above average numbers of smaller fish from 11 to 13 inches were present in the population last fall. These fish will grow throughout the 2025 fishing season and provide catch and harvest opportunities. Moderate numbers of fish 20 inches and larger will continue to provide memorable catch opportunities throughout the lake. Recently, walleye recruitment in Lake Vermilion has been on a boom-and-bust cycle with weak year-classes occurring in 2017 and 2020 followed by strong year-classes the following years in 2018 and 2021. This is fairly normal for walleye populations driven primarily by natural reproduction. Early estimates indicate this trend may not hold in the near-term with moderate year-classes produced in 2022 and 2023. Fortunately, back-to-back 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, which are not well represented in the gill-net survey. In Lake Vermilion, both the catch rate and the average length of YOY walleyes help predict future year-class strength. In 2024, high catches of larger than normal YOY walleyes create the potential for a strong year-class to be produced. Muskellunge Muskies provide an important catch-and-release sport fishery on Lake Vermilion with the potential for trophy fish. Muskies are second only to walleyes in terms of popularity for Lake Vermilion anglers. 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 just under 45 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 are being planned for obtaining adult population estimates along with evaluating recent stocking strategies and natural reproduction. 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, smallmouth bass abundance in Lake Vermilion has trended upward over the last three decades. Abundance and size structure differ by basin, 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 with higher catches in West Vermilion. The 2024 gill-net survey produced a moderate catch rate for Lake Vermilion, but overall, a declining trend 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. In 2024, sampled pike length ranged from 20 to almost 38 inches suggesting 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. In 2024, survey results indicated perch abundance was down from the previous 6 years and overall lower than what is typically observed in Lake Vermilion. However, periodic fluctuations in perch numbers are normal for most systems. The average size of sampled fish was fairly large with notable numbers over 10 inches, potentially providing anglers catch and harvest opportunities in 2025. East Vermilion holds much larger fish on average, but lower numbers compared to West Vermilion. Black Crappie Black crappies are generally a minor component of the Lake Vermilion fishery that can provide good fishing opportunities especially in the spring. Typically, few anglers specifically target them, but anglers tend to keep what they catch. Recent spring surveys suggest decent numbers are found in Vermilion compared to other area lakes, but overall abundance is fairly low compared to elsewhere in the state. However, the sampled crappies ran large, averaging close to 10 inches, with fish over 14 inches in the population. Both basins can produce large fish, but higher overall numbers can be found in West Vermilion. Bluegill Bluegills can provide catch and harvest opportunities for anglers fishing Lake Vermilion. Typically, very few anglers come to Lake Vermilion seeking bluegills, but they tend to be one of the most caught and harvested species in terms of total numbers. Recent spring surveys suggest moderate numbers and size for bluegills found in Vermilion compared to other area lakes. Both basins can produce fish over 9 inches, but West Vermilion holds much higher numbers of fish overall. Aquatic Invasive Species Aquatic invasive species are non-native 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, purple loosestrife, rusty crayfish, spiny waterflea, and Heterosporis sutherlandae (an invasive parasite that affects the muscle tissue of infected fish). 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.

Introduction Black Crappies are generally a minor component of the Lake Vermilion fishery that can provide good fishing opportunities especially in the spring. Typically, few anglers specifically target them, but anglers tend to keep what they catch. Recent spring surveys suggest decent numbers are found in Vermilion compared to other area lakes, but overall abundance is fairly low compared to elsewhere in the state. Bluegills can provide catch and harvest opportunities for anglers fishing Lake Vermilion. Typically, very few anglers come to Lake Vermilion seeking bluegills, but they tend to be one of the most caught and harvested species in terms of total numbers. Black Crappie The lakewide Black Crappie catch rate of 5.0 fish/net from the spring 2024 survey was identical to the catch rate from 2023. The spring catch rates observed were higher than any previous summer survey. The 2024 catch rate in West Vermilion of 8.9 fish/net was almost identical to the 9.1 fish/net observed in that basin in 2023. East Vermilion catch rates were also nearly the same in 2023 (3.0 fish/net) and 2024 (3.1 fish/net), but both were notably lower than West Vermilion catches. The spring catch rates exceeded previous highs observed in both basins during summer surveys. The average length of fish captured was slightly larger in East Vermilion (average = 10.2 inches) compared to West Vermilion (average = 9.7 inches), and a higher percentage of the catch was 10 inches or larger in East Vermilion. Nonetheless, fish larger than 13 inches were caught in each basin. Fish captured ranged in age from 2 to 11 years old and the population displayed consistent, but variable, recruitment. Growth rates for younger fish appear to be faster in East Vermilion compared to West Vermilion. Evaluation of the spring sampling design suggests that it will be useful to continue this methodology to sample the Black Crappie population in the future based on the catch rates, sample sizes, and annual consistency. Bluegill The spring 2024 lakewide Bluegill catch rate of 14.3 fish/net was down from the previous year's spring catch rate (20.1 fish/net) and lower than any historical summer survey. Spring catch rates dramatically increased in East Vermilion from 2.5 fish/net in 2023 to 8.7 fish/net in 2024, while they dramatically decreased in West Vermilion from 55.5 fish/net in 2023 to 25.6 fish/net in 2024. However, catch rates remained significantly higher in West Vermilion both years. The average length of fish captured was similar lakewide when comparing 2023 (6.2 inches) and 2024 (6.1 inches). However, when comparing the basins, the average length was slightly larger in East Vermilion in 2023, but dramatically larger in West Vermilion in 2024. Nonetheless, fish over 9 inches were caught in each basin. A higher percentage of the catch was 8 inches or larger in East Vermilion compared to West Vermilion in both spring samples. Fish captured ranged in age from 3 to 13 years old and the population displayed consistent, but variable, recruitment. Further evaluation of the spring sampling design is warranted.

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

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

Vermilion has a maximum depth of 76 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Vermilion has confirmed spiny waterflea. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.