Early fall has arrived on Lake Vermilion. Walleyes are doing two things at the moment. First, they are spreading out over deep water flats and can be caught using leadcore or a spinner with a nightcrawler. Second, they are on mid-depth structure such as main lake humps and secondary points adjacent to deep water. Those fish can be caught on a bobber or a jig.
Smallmouth bass are both shallow and deep. Target shallow docks or boulder piles with a wacky rig or ned rig. For the deep fish, try a tube or dropshot with small, minnow-imitating plastics.
Muskies are moving back on to structure. Target wind-swept points and shallow rock bars. At night, target the deeper basin areas adjacent to the same structures using large swimbaits or bulldogs.
I hope everyone has been having a great summer. The best fishing is right around the corner. The lakes empty as the woods fill up with hunters. This is by far the best time of the year to catch all species as turnover looms. Tight lines & see you on the water!
-Hays, HB Fishing
