Jason Freed from Leisure Outdoor Adventures gives us his latest Lake Vermilion fishing report on July 12th, 2024
Lake Vermillion Fishing Report: 7-12-24
The mayfly hatch is tapering off and the fishing is getting better. Anglers are catching a variety of species from walleye to muskies.
Lake Vermilion Fishing Report: Walleye
Water temps are in the lower seventies and the walleye bite is still going very strong. The East side of the lake is still experiencing the tail end of the mayfly hatch but it is pretty much over. Target walleyes in twenty to twenty-six feet of water. Looking for any sort of mud or sand transitions and you’ll start finding schools of walleyes. These fish are a bit scattered so it may take some looking around to find active schools.
Pull spinners with a nightcrawler harness or Lindy rigs with a leeches. This has been the most effective way to target these spread out fish. Crankbaits are another good option to move quicker to find fish.
On the West side of the lake we are finding fish in and near rock piles and points in the twelve to eighteen feet of water. A few fish can also be found on weed lines.
Jigging Raps have been very effective on the rocks. A jig and crawler or slip bobbers will work as well especially if the fish are in a finicky mood.
Lake Vermilion Fishing Report: Bass
The smallmouth bass fishing has been good overall and the fish are biting well. The topwater bite is starting to pickup and fish seem to be looking up in a lot of places especially in the morning and late in the evenings. Look for structured filled shorelines, rock piles, and rock points. Smallmouth like to stay fairly shallow on Vermilion and you should be finding fish in four to eight feet of water.
Other Baits:
Hair Jigs: Marabou hair jigs in black, olive and tan are still fishing great especially in more open areas.
Ned Rigs: Neds on a 1/8 ounce head in green pumpkin, rusty orange and chartreuse have been producing the best. Great for working docks or hoping between rocks.
Tubes: Tubes are always staples on Lake Vermilion. Fished in a rusty orange, charcoal, or white.
Square bills: Square bills in the 4 to 8 foot diving range have been catching fish on some days. The best colors have been crawfish, perch or silver.
Lake Vermilion Fishing Report: Muskie
The open water muskie fishing has been pretty good. The ciscos are school up in the main basins and the muskies are following them. Anglers are having success finding these schools and casting around them to target fish. Big rubbers baits like tubes, medusas, and bulldogs have been producing bites.
Fishing has still been good in cabbage beds and anglers are moving fish still there. The muskies have yet to transition to the rocks and we are not seeing that quite yet. Topwater and blades always produce on Lake Vermilion when fishing shallower.
