Vermilion Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

69037800

County

St. Louis

Surface area

39,272 acres

Maximum depth

76 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

15,006 acres, 38% of the lake

Shoreline

341.5 miles

Average water clarity

7.6 feet (Secchi disk, 96 readings)

Latest DNR fish survey

June 2025, large lake survey

Surveys on record

42, since 1981

Game fish caught in the 2025 survey

walleye 905, yellow perch 313, smallmouth bass 272, bluegill 26, northern pike 21, black crappie 21, rock bass 4, largemouth bass 3

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, trout-perch, walleye, yellow perch, and 25 other species

Stocked in 2025

muskellunge fingerlings (754); muskellunge fingerlings (3,007); walleye fry (7,500,000)

Stocked in 2024

muskellunge fingerlings (3,017); walleye fry (9,100,000)

Stocked in 2023

muskellunge fingerlings (3,014); walleye fry (5,000,000)

Stocking years on record

9 of the last 10 (2016 to 2025)

Vermilion Lake, Stuntz Bay Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 10 trailer spaces, run by Breitung Township

Vermilion Lake, Everett Bay Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 12 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Vermilion Lake, Black Duck Bay Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 2 docks, 35 trailer spaces, toilet, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Vermilion Lake, Rice Bay Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 5 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

More public accesses

11

Infested waters list

spiny waterflea

Special regulation

Walleye: All from 20-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession. Possession limit four.

Fish consumption

Follow the northeast guidelines; fish from this lake have been tested

Size

2,000 acres or more

Deepest point

60 feet or more

Public access

Yes

Stocked in the last 3 years

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.