Another opening weekend on Vermilion is in the books and the fishing has been awesome! Lots of hooksets, double-ups, smiles, and good times this past weekend. Catching between 20-40 walleye an outing is not an uncommon site at this time of year.
Walleye
Fish’s appetites are growing after an earlier spawn this season. Most of the fish boated this weekend were all done with their business minus a few immature, confused fish. At this time of year you will find fish anywhere. I don’t use this word lightly either, I mean ANYWHERE. We have caught fish in as shallow as 7 feet and as deep as 38 feet of water. The most action has occurred in the 18-28ft range, however the shallow water casting bite should pick up here in the following weeks. I cannot stress enough the importance of using your side-imaging to find transitional areas. All of our fish were found right on structure near or right on the mud. Sand to mud and rock to mud transitions are the ticket right now. Add in windblown first and secondary points, and you will have a solid formula for locating fish. For the most part, the bite has been light due to the rapid fluctuations of weather we have had this spring. This however should change very soon as water temperatures are warming every day with yesterdays high found coming in at 58 degrees. fish can be caught using any tactic however Lindy rigging chubs and smaller suckers has been the most productive method of take. Snap jigging Jigging Raps also has been catching a number of fish. On flatter days as fish begin to disperse due to lack of concentrated baitfish, leadcore trolling Berkley Fishing Flicker Shads at slower speeds over mud flats are a good option.
Northern Pike
Most of your pike will be found on your shallow rock bars of 3-8ft and fast warming back bays. Finding early weed growth is key to catching the toothy critters now. Casting bigger chubs on 1/8oz Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle Live Bait Jigs with a short stinger in these areas is your best option. Trolling Rapala F11’s over rocks has also been productive.
Crappies
Crappie fishing has been great lately on the west end of the lake. Your shallow fast warming bays are holding the most fish. Use your side imaging to locate giant schools of crappie. Most fish have been found in the 4-7ft range. Casting small plastics and presenting them vertically with a float has been the ticket as of late.
There are only a few openings left for the rest of May, while the remaining summer months are filling up quickly! Good luck and tight lines!
Jarek Wujkowski
Rodsbent Guide Service
info@rodsbent.com
(715)-892-7048
