Minnesota · United States

Lake Vermilion MN fishing forecast

63 Good of 100

Lake Vermilion MN is a freshwater fishing spot in Minnesota, United States. Anglers here target Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass. The most productive months are typically May, June, July, August, September.

Quick answer
Best monthsMay, June, July, August
Top speciesSmallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike
Score now63/100
Local rulesUnited States — Federal Waters

Today’s verdict

Ranks #293 of 435 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today

Trending down — 9 points below this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±7 points, from 7 live signals

The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.

Helping the score most
Water temperature+15.0Waves+15.0Wind+4.5
Pressure trend
Pressure data unavailable
Best window today
05:00 · Light wind (0 km/h) and calm seas
Next solunar peak
minor 09:57

Current conditions

Sea surface temp19.6 °C
Wind21 km/h from W, gusting 44 km/h
Pressure1010 hPa
Cloud cover0%
Chlorophyll3.72 mg/m³
Salinity0.0 PSU
UV index0
Wind sea0.0 m
Ground swell0.0 m at 0 s

The water here is 3.0 °C warmer than the September average of 16.7 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 39.4 m, with the thermocline below that.

Updated 1 h ago.

What the score means at Lake Vermilion MN

Lake Vermilion MN currently scores 63 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 19.6 °C. 7 forecast signals are active in this score.

Water temperature +15.0
how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Waves +15.0
swell energy stirring the water column
Wind +4.5
surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
Barometric pressure +4.4
falling pressure often triggers feeding
Moon phase +2.4
lunar feeding rhythm
Pre-storm bite +2.4
the classic feed before heavy weather

What’s biting now

The model expects today: walleye, yellow-perch, northern-pike, smallmouth-bass, lake-trout, largemouth-bass, lake-sturgeon, muskellunge

[object Object] — Protected here — release immediately

Bite windows

Moon
Waning Crescent · 8% lit
Solunar day rating
50 / 100

Best months for Lake Vermilion MN:

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Score history at this spot

30 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-08-25, 81/100

26 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

12 points below the same day last week

About this spot

Water type
Lake · Freshwater

Lakes have no tide, so target structure, drop-offs, and seasonal thermoclines where fish concentrate by depth and temperature.

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · beach

What you can catch

Best months by species at Lake Vermilion MN

Smallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu
WalleyeSander vitreus
Northern PikeEsox lucius
Largemouth BassMicropterus salmoides

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

U.S. federal fisheries authority
United States — Federal Waters

Licensing:

  • saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.

Check Lake Vermilion MN before you go

Live scores update through the day. Get the full forecast, bite windows, and your own saved spots in the FishRadar app.

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Nearby spots

Explore 10 more fishing spots within 353 km of Lake Vermilion MN.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can you catch at Lake Vermilion MN?

Anglers at Lake Vermilion MN target Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass.

When is the best time to fish Lake Vermilion MN?

The most productive months at Lake Vermilion MN are typically May, June, July, August, September.

What is the fishing forecast for Lake Vermilion MN right now?

Lake Vermilion MN currently scores 63 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.

Can you fish Lake Vermilion MN from shore?

Yes — Lake Vermilion MN is fishable from shore (beach).

Is the thermocline set up at Lake Vermilion MN right now?

Not strongly right now — the water column is fairly mixed, so fish are less depth-locked.

Fishing guides for this spot

Forecasts, not guarantees — check local rules before you fish.