Lake Vermilion fishing mid-June is off to a good start. Walleye size has seemed to move in the right direction, with nice size keepers and several larger fish being caught and released this past week. Add to that plenty of action for those looking for bass, and it was a pretty solid week for our guests.
To start things off, the Hulsebus brothers began their trip with a day on the water with Lake Vermilion guide Buck Lescarbeau, and it led them to a steady week of walleye fishing that included fish to eat, fish to freeze to take home, and lots of fish to catch and release. They used several different tactics from leeches to artificials, and declared themselves “fished out” by the end of their productive week. We were happy to welcome the Zatorski’s, for their first visit to the lodge and Lake Vermilion, and they too found the walleye fishing to go well. In fact, while the early evening to dusk window continues to be the most favorable timeframe, they hit “one last spot” on their way in one day in the middle of the afternoon, and it ended up being a good decision as the walleyes were hungry, aggressive and plentiful. Made their trip from Indiana well worth the drive. The Rutherfords & Fosters had a steady week as well, with a mix of eaters and walleyes they released.
The bass action continues to be strong, with Tim Magee catching a 22″ Lake Vermilion Largemouth Bass on his second cast, only to follow that one up a short time later with a 20″ largemouth. He added a 20″ Lake Vermilion Smallmouth Bass and several others in the 3 lb range and he’s just getting warmed up. Dave & Eric snuck out for a couple hours Friday afternoon and quickly had a dozen smallies and a nice walleye. The exact size of the largest smallie is a mystery, as Eric’s attempt to execute the Mike Icanelli No Net landing still needs a bit of work!! Our apologies to anyone who might have been within earshot, as according to Dave, he apparently mastered the vocal part of the Icanelli approach.
While several muskies have been seen, we are still a little early for that action to heat up, but with the nighttime lows finally getting back in line with the average, it won’t be long. Water temps have definitely shot up with surface temps in Big Bay above 70. The mayfly activity is progressing with the usual here and there hatches. So far though, no impact on the fishing.
Our guests told us about the following fish that were all caught & released:
Walleyes: 25.75″: Scott Hulsebus. 23.5″: Scott Hulsebus, Ryan Hulsebus, Jared Zatorski. 23″: Dale Rutherford, Rod Foster, Ryan Hulsebus, Scott Hulsebus, 22.5″: Ryan Hulsebus, Scott Hulsebus, 22″: Brett Hulsebus X 2, Scott Hulsebus, Ryan Hulsebus, 21.5″: Rod Foster, Lisa Foster. 21″: Ryan Hulsebus, Scott Hulsebus, Brett Hulsebus. 20″: Rod Foster, Tim Magee, Scott Hulsebus, Brett Hulsebus, Dale Rutherford, Rod Foster.
Northern: 33″ Rod Foster
Smallies: 20″ Tim Magee, 19″ Tim Magee, 18″ Tim Magee
Largemouth Bass: 22″ Tim Magee, 20″ Tim Magee
Hard to believe we are already at the midway point of June. The fish are biting, the pool is ready and there’s no place like Lake Vermilion!!