I must admit that her 41-thousand acres was a bit intimidating. She is pristine – a real beauty – with just enough human element to make things convenient and just enough wide open space to make us feel out in the wilderness. We knew we were on the right track on the way up when we ran out of paved road about twenty miles from camp. “Ah-ha! Now we’re heading in the right direction.” I thought to myself, as the blacktop turned to dirt. Don’t worry, we’re talkin’ Minnesota unpaved here, not Ontario unpaved. Those who have been to both places will know exactly what I’m talking about – no boulders, no trees, no three-foot deep potholes in Minnesota.

Once we got to camp we found an unexpected blend of vacation paradise and local flavor all over the place. Our lodge had full service everything and a big screen TV in the bar. We even had a nice pub within walking distance that served-up tasty munchies, our favorite spirits, and a live band. Smack in the middle of all that water: a bait store, marina, gift shop, grocery store, and local hang called… are you ready for this? Timbuktu. It’s really very charming and does not gouge customers buying fuel either.

How’s the fishing on Lake Vermilion?

If you have had success anywhere on The Canadian Shield, you will find fish on this lake too. She is very much like her big sister to the north, Lake of the Woods.

Although the term “deep water” means something totally different, Lake Vermilion isn’t too unlike the deep, clear Canadian lakes either. Structure ranges from long weed lines to a great collection of rock reefs and long rocky shore line drops that seem to hold fish all the time. In the weeds, watch the sudden transition from thick cover (slop that you can’t even get a bait through) to deep weeds – seems to be the sweet spot, at least it was while we were there. These areas are best for muskie, pike, and really big walleye.

Muskie fishing has really taken-off on Lake Vermilion in the past few years. Many trophy fish have come all year long, but the deeper into fall you go, the more big muskies seem to be willing to strike. Ed Tausk, Owner and Operator of Vermilion Dam Lodge (VDL), sent me some great photos of his guided trips from last October. If a trophy is what you’re after, Lake Vermilion can accommodate.