Little Vermilion Lake
St. Louis County, Minnesota
Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be not very active with peak fishing times around 3-5 PM. SEE MORE

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We want to see what you've caught on Little Vermilion Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About Little Vermilion Lake, MN
- How big is Little Vermilion Lake?
- How deep is Little Vermilion Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Little Vermilion Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Little Vermilion Lake area?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Little Vermilion Lake?
- What are the fishing regulations for Little Vermilion Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Little Vermilion Lake?
How big is Little Vermilion Lake?
How deep is Little Vermilion Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Little Vermilion Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Cisco (Tullibee), Golden Shiner, Lake Whitefish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Lamprey, Silver Redhorse and White Sucker.
Are there places to stay in the Little Vermilion Lake area?
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Are there places to eat and drink near Little Vermilion Lake?
What are the fishing regulations for Little Vermilion Lake?
There are specific fishing regulations Little Vermilion Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?
Explore the Little Vermilion Lake area in a RV
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What aquatic invasive species are found in Little Vermilion Lake?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
Little Vermilion is a 1,287 acre Class 7 lake on the Minnesota-Ontario border. The lake is 3.5 miles east of Crane Lake, Minnesota; however the lake is accessed by boat through Crane Lake and Sand Point Lake which is approximately an 8 mile route. The portion of Little Vermilion that lies in Minnesota is approximately 540 acres, and is entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Little Vermilion has an experimental regulation which states that all Walleye from 18 to 26 inches must be immediately released, with one over 26 inches allowed in possession. There is also a combined possession of six Walleye and Sauger, where a maximum of four can be Walleye. A standard fisheries survey was completed on Little Vermilion in 2021.
Little Vermilion Lake continues to produce an excellent Walleye fishery. Walleye exceeded the expected range for abundance, and an average fish in the 2021 sample was 13.3 inches, with 30+ inch fish present in the survey. The high catch rates of 2-4 year old fish in 2021 should provide good Walleye angling opportunities in the coming years.
Northern Pike catch rates were within the expected range for this class of lake and the average size was above average. An average Northern Pike from the 2021 sample was 2.8 pounds and ranged from 17.5 to 33.8 inches.
Little Vermilion is a varied fishery with several species of interest to anglers. For the panfish angler, Black Crappie are present with fish over 13 inches sampled, and Bluegill were of average size for the area. Sauger and Yellow Perch catch rates were within the expected range for this class of lake. Only a few Smallmouth Bass were sampled, however nets are not appropriate gear for effectively sampling these fish, and there is likely a quality Smallmouth fishery here similar to the lakes that are connected to Little Vermilion. Other species present during the survey included White Sucker, Silver Lamprey, Rock Bass, Redhorse, Burbot, and a single Mooneye. Little Vermilions inclusion in the Namakan Reservoir and Boundary Waters Canoe Area provides pristine surroundings to access a diverse fishery.
What is the average air temp for Little Vermilion Lake?
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Little Vermilion Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Dovre Lake | 0.6 mi | 116 | 17 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 1.6 mi | 10 | |
| Section Twenty-Nine Lake | 1.9 mi | 22 | |
| Knute Lake | 2.4 mi | 15 | |
| Herriman Lake | 3.1 mi | 47 | |
| Baylis Lake | 3.4 mi | 67 | |
| Mukooda Lake | 5.3 mi | 774 | 78 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 5.3 mi | 15 | |
| Unnamed Lake | 5.4 mi | 15 | |
| Loon Lake | 5.5 mi | 2,498 | 76 ft |



