Minnesota guide Billy Rosner of Wild Country Guide Service gives his latest Lake Vermilion fishing report on May 17th, 2024.
Lake Vermilion Fishing Report: 5-17-2024
Even with the early ice out water temperatures are still pretty normal for this time of year.
Overall the bite has been pretty good and fish can be found all over the lake. As the water temperatures continue to rise anglers can expect the bite to get even better for most species like smallmouth bass and walleye.
Walleyes: Lake Vermilion Fishing Report
The walleye bite has been solid. Anglers are catching fish along the first break in four to sixteen feet of water. Look for fish on rock reefs and hard to soft bottom transitional areas.
Walleyes can be caught on a number if different presentations. Lindy rigging minnows, jigs paired with minnows or jigs paired with plastics are all working well. When fishing the slightly deeper areas for walleyes we’ve been using a lot of 3/8-ounce weights which allow us to have good bottom contact.
The walleyes depth has varied from spot to spot and it’s been beneficial to use the VMC Switch-It Slip Sinker so you can change your weight quickly depending on the depth of water you are fishing.
Crappies: Lake Vermilion Fishing Report
Schools of crappies are beginning to push shallow into their spawning areas in the shallow bays. Most fish can be caught between four and eight feet of water.
Small hair jigs and jigs tipped with plastics under a float have been working great for these Lake Vermilion crappies. As the water temperatures continue to rise the crappie spawn should be in full swing.
Northern Pike: Lake Vermilion Fishing
The northern pike bite on Lake Vermilion has been good. Anglers can expect to catch numbers of quality northern pike in the shallow bays and in the emerging weed beds.
Spinners and swimbaits have been the best way to catch them. Brighter colors like chartreuse, firetiger, and gold-flash seem to be working the best.
