A Day Made for Shore Lunch

There are some trips that just hit different — and this was one of them.

Calm morning, light cloud cover, and a steady walleye bite right from the start. We worked a subtle inside turn on a mid-lake reef in about 14 feet of water and found a pod of fish that wanted jigs tipped with minnows. Nothing complicated — just clean presentations and staying on top of them as they slid along the break.

By late morning we had a nice mix of fish in the livewell, perfect for a classic shore lunch. We pulled up to a quiet island, fired up the cooker, and took our time. There’s something about sitting on the rocks with a hot meal, looking out over the lake, that makes you slow down and appreciate it all.

After lunch, we headed back out and finished the day strong. A few more quality fish and plenty of laughs in between.

Fishing is always about the catch — but days like this are about the whole experience. Good company, steady action, and a lake that never disappoints.

When the Smallmouth Turn On

Some days you plan to chase walleyes… and the smallmouth decide otherwise.

That’s exactly what happened this week. We started the morning working mid-depth rock for walleyes and picked up a few right away. But once the sun got a little higher and the wind laid down, we slid shallow to check some isolated boulders — and that’s when things got interesting.

The smallmouth were set up in 6–10 feet of water, tight to rock with just enough breeze pushing bait in. Tubes and ned rigs were getting bit almost every cast. The best part about summer smallmouth on Vermilion is how aggressive they can be. When they’re feeding, they don’t just bite — they hammer it.

We ended up switching gears entirely and spent the rest of the morning targeting bass. Plenty of 17–19 inch fish, with a couple that pushed past that mark. Not a bad “backup plan.”

It’s a good reminder that flexibility wins. Lake Vermilion gives you options, and being willing to adjust can turn a decent day into one you won’t forget.

Early Summer Walleyes are Settling In

There’s something about early summer on Lake Vermilion that just feels right. The water temps are climbing, the weed lines are starting to establish, and the walleyes are transitioning into predictable patterns. If you’re willing to adjust with them, the bite can be incredibly consistent.

Lately, we’ve been finding fish relating to the first break off shallow structure in 10–18 feet of water. Rock-to-sand transitions and emerging weed edges have been especially productive. On calmer days, a slip bobber and leech has been hard to beat. When the wind picks up, we’ve had great success pitching jigs and plastics to active fish sliding up to feed.

One thing that stands out this time of year is how important boat control is. Covering water efficiently and paying attention to subtle depth changes has made all the difference. The fish are there — it’s just about staying mobile until you connect with the right group.

We’ve also seen some quality mixed in with the numbers. A few solid eater-sized walleyes for shore lunch and the occasional larger fish that reminds you why Vermilion has the reputation it does.

If you’re thinking about getting out soon, early mornings and evening windows are producing the most consistent action. As always, conditions change daily, but that’s part of the fun — reading the lake, adapting, and staying one step ahead of the bite.

Summer is just getting started, and it’s shaping up to be a good one.

See you on the water!