Vermillion

I’ve got an opportunity to go up and fish Vermillion for a weekend and do some social media work for the new owner of the fish house rentals out of the Fortune Bay Casino Marina…..I’ve never fished it before. I’m guessing solid walleye bite maybe some nice pike, and decent panfish? Anyone have any noteworthy tips or what fish to target most?

I think the biggest mistake i’ve noticed people making ice fishing out on Lake Vermilion, and maybe its the case other places too, is folks get too focused on fishing the rock structure out there. When you take a look at a depth map of the lake, you’ll notice tons of perfect looking points, reefs, drop offs from islands. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of times of the year that these spots hold fish, but in the winter I have definitely found that fish roam big flats adjacent to structure.

I would not say solid walleye bite by any means. If you can find them, but that’s a big if. Vermillion is a different monster. Can be incredibly frustrating and rewarding at the same time.
Panfish can be caught but they also can be hard to find. The pike are abundant.

I’ve gotten plenty of little Walleyes up here this winter. Still looking for something bigger. Haven’t roamed far from my cabin though. Anything perch colored seems to do well.

Given the massive size of it, not many ice fish it.

There’s always an annual thread on fishingminnesota forum. Seems like it’s usually people on the east end. Sounds pretty good in the evenings right now.

Thanks guys. I don’t hear a lot of talk about people fishing it so these answers fall in line with that. Guess I’ll go up there and just see what bites!

Going out of Everett Bay for the Fortune Bay Promo? Or have a sled? Some good mud flats off a point around Ely Island that were holding fish when the water was 36. Maybe it’s a common spot, maybe it’s not but welcome to the waypoint. About 3/4 mi from Stuntz Bay, about 3 mi from Fortune Bay docks

They just started renting houses so I would assume they are setup somewhere out from the marina. However we plan to fish in the houses and move around.

We have always done better in the summer on Vermillion vs. the winter, but there’s definitely opportunities to have a really good night out there. I mostly fish the west side which is basically a different lake, but I have typically found fish shallower (15′-20′) and closer to islands/points than the main lake rock piles.

If you catch 3 eyes in one day that’s a good day.

There is also a reason most of the people I know, including me would rather drive 2.5 hours to Red or LOW.

carver wrote:

If you catch 3 eyes in one day that’s a good day.

There is also a reason most of the people I know, including me would rather drive 2.5 hours to Red or LOW.

Vermillion is a very tricky lake. Your either on them or your not. Even half the time you find them, then they are gone. The fish tend to roam out there. I target the east side mainly and you will be on the west. I do love that lake. Just stay safe out there. Lots of bad ice

Been fishing Vermilion since I was an infant. The guys who slay walleyes on ice are putting in time, don’t let anyone fool you. You might get lucky on a single day trip, but if you want to catch the eyes, simply look for all the permanents (most are locals), set up near them and fish all day + all night for a few nights.

The locals are great people, so long as you’re great to them. Lots of good friends who live up there and do very well on ice but it’s a time investment for sure.

If you’re running rentals out of fortune bay, I would recommend two things- 1) tell the new owner to get rid of the mold in some of those older units, it sucks to sit in them for hours and breathe that stuff! 2) He’ll already know where to put them I should hope- there’s a real obvious spot right outside Everett’s bay. That is a good spot, but again need to put in the time to get them.

Bearcat89 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>carver wrote:</div>
If you catch 3 eyes in one day that’s a good day.

There is also a reason most of the people I know, including me would rather drive 2.5 hours to Red or LOW.

Vermillion is a very tricky lake. Your either on them or your not. Even half the time you find them, then they are gone. The fish tend to roam out there. I target the east side mainly and you will be on the west. I do love that lake. Just stay safe out there. Lots of bad ice

Ya west is really odd for me some days. Early ice I did great right out from the house. Just seems like one day they bite and other days they look at your bait and swim Away. With all the snow now, it’s fun on the lake. Not a lot of people by me.

Fishing was on fire for me Xmas eve morning on the east end and the day after Xmas morning on the west end.

East end I caught a 12”, 2-18’s and a 20”. Also lost 2 I had on and a nice pike that bit off my Rip’n’rap.

West end I caught a 22”, a 19.5”, a 17”, 2-16’s and a 15”, and lost 2 that morning as well.

Vermilion is a fickle lake. Most days are a grind but occasionally she rewards your efforts.

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