St. Louis County, MN · Lake
Lake Vermilion
A scenic 40,000-acre lake on the edge of the Boundary Waters — walleye, smallmouth bass, muskie, and crappie among its 365 islands.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Smallmouth Bass — Workable day for Smallmouth Bass.
Best conditions of 4 species tracked at Lake Vermilion.
Fire Weather Watch issued June 5 at 11:37AM CDT until June 7 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Lake Vermilion
4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Smallmouth Bass Workable day for Smallmouth Bass. In season 55/100
What's helping
- 75°F water — inside smallmouth bass's active range
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
- Stable flow — settled river level — clearer water, easier wading
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 6
6/day (bass combined); many lakes are catch-and-release in the spring pre-season.
Source: Minnesota regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Muskellunge Marginal conditions for Muskellunge. In season 49/100
What's helping
- 75°F water — inside muskellunge's active range
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Esox masquinongy — The "fish of 10,000 casts." MD's primary fisheries are Deep Creek Lake and the upper non-tidal Potomac. Apex freshwater predator that hits oversize glide baits, bucktails, and live suckers. Tiger muskie (musky × northern pike hybrid) regulated identically.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
#2 Crappie Marginal conditions for Crappie. In season 49/100
What's helping
- 75°F water — inside crappie's active range
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Daily creel
- 10
10/day (reduced on some quality-managed lakes).
Source: Minnesota regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#4 Walleye Skip the Walleye trip today. In season 19/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
- Stable flow — settled river level — clearer water, easier wading
What's hurting
- 75°F water — above walleye's active range (50–72°f) — fish move deep
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
- Daily creel
- 6
6/day statewide; Mille Lacs and many lakes carry special slot/limit rules — confirm the lake.
Source: Minnesota regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Local reports & rules for Lake Vermilion: Minnesota DNR fishing report → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Lake Vermilion?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Lake Vermilion you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Lake Vermilion?
Lake Vermilion is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Crappie. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Lake Vermilion?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Lake Vermilion against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Lake Vermilion have?
Lake Vermilion has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Lake Vermilion?
state agency regulations apply at Lake Vermilion. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Lake Vermilion tidal water?
No. Lake Vermilion is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.