Vermilion Fishing Reports?
dKrum
Posted 7/22/2019 4:46 PM (#942876)
Subject: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 30


I'm heading up to Vermilion this weekend. Does anyone have a fishing report? What tactics seem to be working?
TimmyP19
Posted 7/23/2019 11:20 AM (#942927 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 16


Fishing has been pretty normal so far this summer. Shallow and bucktails. Plan on fishing 12-16 hours a day to get your opportunity. Fish as many spots as you can. There is no secret on V, just takes lots of hours and hard work.
bucknuts
Posted 7/23/2019 12:22 PM (#942929 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 441


Vermilion is getting tougher and tougher, every year! Be thankful if you get bit once, during the weekend!
Kirby Budrow
Posted 7/23/2019 12:26 PM (#942930 - in reply to #942929)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 2256


Location: Chisholm, MN
What they said! A really good day is 4 sightings and good bite. A normal day is seeing 2 fish and catching none. There have been some larger fish caught recently, but they were in open water at night. Maybe try that if you aren't seeing much.

Edited by Kirby Budrow 7/23/2019 12:33 PM
muskyhunter07
Posted 7/23/2019 1:16 PM (#942932 - in reply to #942930)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Location: Northern Illinois
A lake with a population of less than 1000 fish, hard to get a bite. Have to put your time in that's for sure. Definitely have to schedule around peak times.
CincySkeez
Posted 7/23/2019 3:07 PM (#942934 - in reply to #942932)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 585


Location: Duluth
Saw a picture of a 57x26.5 caught there last weekend.

Slow fishing is the norm. night is good
muskycult
Posted 7/23/2019 7:35 PM (#942948 - in reply to #942932)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 34


Location: Eagle river
muskyhunter07 - 7/23/2019 1:16 PM

A lake with a population of less than 1000 fish, hard to get a bite. Have to put your time in that's for sure. Definitely have to schedule around peak times.


Is it really less then 1000???? That's crazy low.
muskyhunter07
Posted 7/23/2019 8:33 PM (#942953 - in reply to #942948)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Location: Northern Illinois
Yes I fished with Luke Ronnestrand for 3 days last month and we had several conversation's about the stocking of Lake Vermilion and the numbers of fish. He has documented years of data on the lakes numbers of stocked fish vs age of fish and life span. Ask Matt Seifert or Ronnestrand they have data to prove this. There are some big fish still to catch, and hopefully the new stocking plan will help the lake in the near future.
bucknuts
Posted 7/23/2019 10:10 PM (#942960 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 441


Vermilion is getting tougher and tougher, every year! Be thankful if you get bit once, during the weekend!
Kirby Budrow
Posted 7/24/2019 7:28 AM (#942966 - in reply to #942948)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 2256


Location: Chisholm, MN
muskycult - 7/23/2019 7:35 PM

muskyhunter07 - 7/23/2019 1:16 PM

A lake with a population of less than 1000 fish, hard to get a bite. Have to put your time in that's for sure. Definitely have to schedule around peak times.


Is it really less then 1000???? That's crazy low.


And with a population like that, how many fish are on the low density west end? A couple hundred maybe? Low odds.
TimmyP19
Posted 7/24/2019 7:38 AM (#942968 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 16


This spring was year 1 of 2 for the population estimate via spring nettings. They pit tagged the fish they netted this spring. They will net again spring of 2020 and see how many new fish, and re-captures they get. They will then provide an estimate of the total population. Based on the number of fish caught this spring in the nets, I would guess the population will come out at around 900-1,200 muskies next year when they release all the data.

If it comes out there are a 1,000 or so Muskies for the population estimate and Lake Vermilion is 40,000 acres in size........well, you can do the math.



Edited by TimmyP19 7/24/2019 7:56 AM
muskyhunter07
Posted 7/24/2019 1:55 PM (#943000 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Location: Northern Illinois
TimmyP19 Exactly on point
happy hooker
Posted 7/24/2019 2:36 PM (#943002 - in reply to #942968)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 3136


Just spent 4 days 3 of them fishing,,in 3 days we had 5 total follows, would have had a 47 that had his nose buried in the soft taill phantom he was coming has hard has the Russian shkval 220mph torpedo but the boat partner had Bob Marley cranked so loud on the radio that he flashed off at the boat. The other boat with us got two fish 43,40 trolling but put alot of miles in.
5 follows in 3 days on water we know well???? Used to be days when we had 5 follows just going around one island.
On the positive one of our guys brought spinning stuff and was getting nice smallmouth right off the cabin dock.
The only reason I go to vermilion now is because our buddy has a beautiful cabin he invites us to,,the emphasis now is on visiting margaritaville and sleeping late because "why not" fishing there dossent spur a samurai spirit. Next invite up for the first time in 24 years I may bring a spinning rod on a musky trip.

Edited by happy hooker 7/24/2019 2:55 PM
muskyhunter07
Posted 7/24/2019 3:41 PM (#943009 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Location: Northern Illinois
Good idea Smallmouth bass fishing is great on the Big V. Hopefully the Muskie population can come back in a few years now that they are stocking more then before.
Kirby Budrow
Posted 7/24/2019 4:08 PM (#943016 - in reply to #943009)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 2256


Location: Chisholm, MN
muskyhunter07 - 7/24/2019 3:41 PM

Good idea Smallmouth bass fishing is great on the Big V. Hopefully the Muskie population can come back in a few years now that they are stocking more then before.


Problem is that it takes more than a few years to grow a decent sized muskie. Gonna be a while before we see a decent population of quality fish again...if they actually do something about it. I have my doubts.
dKrum
Posted 7/24/2019 4:46 PM (#943018 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: RE: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 30


Thanks for the replies! Cincy, I saw a picture of that 57 too - what a monster!
muskyhunter07
Posted 7/24/2019 4:50 PM (#943019 - in reply to #943016)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Location: Northern Illinois
I agree Kirby it will be awhile before it ever comes back to what it once was. I still go every year for a week+ though it's a beautiful water and you still have that chance to get the "one".
happy hooker
Posted 7/25/2019 3:50 AM (#943046 - in reply to #943019)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 3136


Just my opinion but let this serve has an example for musky guys looking to get property in the future here in Minnesota.
People on Leech lake now have the last laugh,, while everybody was ignoring Leech and scrambling to get lots on V,Mile Lacs and other stocked waters little did they realize that these stocked lakes are subject to dnr policy change and politics.
Kirby Budrow
Posted 7/25/2019 6:29 AM (#943048 - in reply to #943046)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 2256


Location: Chisholm, MN
happy hooker - 7/25/2019 3:50 AM

Just my opinion but let this serve has an example for musky guys looking to get property in the future here in Minnesota.
People on Leech lake now have the last laugh,, while everybody was ignoring Leech and scrambling to get lots on V,Mile Lacs and other stocked waters little did they realize that these stocked lakes are subject to dnr policy change and politics.


Well that’s true. I wouldn’t call it policy change though. It’s just the opinions of certain fisheries managers. Other dnr fisheries managers like to see their lakes thrive...like out west. But not here in NE MN.

I know a lot of people including myself who moved to the lake or close by because of the fishing. Now I’m stuck close to 2 hours away from other big fish water.

Edited by Kirby Budrow 7/25/2019 6:58 AM
CincySkeez
Posted 7/25/2019 9:07 AM (#943063 - in reply to #943048)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 585


Location: Duluth


I know a lot of people including myself who moved to the lake or close by because of the fishing. Now I’m stuck close to 2 hours away from other big fish water. :(

I feel ya on this, but if you're on the V there's definitely big fish water closer than two hours. Guess you just have to want to fish it, the fish didn't evaporate, and they aren't in the lake...hmmmm
Cfollow
Posted 7/25/2019 9:27 AM (#943066 - in reply to #943063)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?


CincySkeez - 7/25/2019 9:07 AM



I feel ya on this, but if you're on the V there's definitely big fish water closer than two hours. Guess you just have to want to fish it, the fish didn't evaporate, and they aren't in the lake...hmmmm


Yeah, I mean why don't you want to fish an even lower density population in Crane Lake.
Kirby Budrow
Posted 7/25/2019 10:16 AM (#943070 - in reply to #943066)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 2256


Location: Chisholm, MN
Cfollow - 7/25/2019 9:27 AM

CincySkeez - 7/25/2019 9:07 AM



I feel ya on this, but if you're on the V there's definitely big fish water closer than two hours. Guess you just have to want to fish it, the fish didn't evaporate, and they aren't in the lake...hmmmm


Yeah, I mean why don't you want to fish an even lower density population in Crane Lake.


Precisely
CincySkeez
Posted 7/25/2019 10:41 AM (#943074 - in reply to #943070)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 585


Location: Duluth
LOL, never said action and big fish (:

TBH, I wouldn't likely be the happiest camper either if I bought a place during the New Reservoir syndrome peak.

Sadly don't think the lake will ever be back to the way it was. Just like the St. Louis will never fish like it did when stocking began. Just like Island Lake. Dang.
muskyhunter07
Posted 7/25/2019 10:44 AM (#943075 - in reply to #943074)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Location: Northern Illinois
Crane has some giants as well as little vermilion (;
Gottagofast
Posted 7/25/2019 2:32 PM (#943085 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 17


I am not sure where some of you are getting your numbers or if your just going for the doom and gloom to keep people away.
The DNR netted over 700 unique fish this spring with less than 55 nets and a crappy spring that had water temps in the 50s on opener.
If you believe they caught over 70% of the adult population you are delusional.
Nershi
Posted 7/25/2019 6:26 PM (#943095 - in reply to #943085)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Location: MN
Gottagofast - 7/25/2019 2:32 PM

I am not sure where some of you are getting your numbers or if your just going for the doom and gloom to keep people away.
The DNR netted over 700 unique fish this spring with less than 55 nets and a crappy spring that had water temps in the 50s on opener.
If you believe they caught over 70% of the adult population you are delusional.


I heard it was a positive showing in the spring assessment. The guides are trying create a doom and gloom narrative to get more fish put in the lake. A lot of times facts get ignored when trying to tilt a certain angle. The fishing has gotten a lot tougher so I understand where they are coming from. I laughed when I read the estimate of 1000 muskies in the lake.
TimmyP19
Posted 7/26/2019 8:05 AM (#943128 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 16


Yes, There was 700 unique fish captured this spring. All pit tagged. The crew that did the netting are very experienced in what they do. Plus, they utilized local knowledge to strategically place nets in the highest percentage of areas. That crew also came out and they are the ones that said they feel comfortable that they can catch 60-70% of the population. Believe me, I sure have my doubts on that statement as that seems quite high! We wont really know anything until after they do it again next spring.

BUT, there are few folks up there who are on the water EVERYDAY and they have pit tag readers. There has been a very HIGH percentage of pit tags in the number of fish being caught so far this year. For example, there was a gentleman whos first 7 Muskies caught this year and every single one had a tag in it.

That scares me.

But, until next spring, everything is all speculation.

Edited by TimmyP19 7/26/2019 8:08 AM
muskyhunter07
Posted 7/26/2019 9:18 AM (#943132 - in reply to #943128)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Location: Northern Illinois
Yes, There was 700 unique fish captured this spring. All pit tagged. The crew that did the netting are very experienced in what they do. Plus, they utilized local knowledge to strategically place nets in the highest percentage of areas. That crew also came out and they are the ones that said they feel comfortable that they can catch 60-70% of the population. Believe me, I sure have my doubts on that statement as that seems quite high! We wont really know anything until after they do it again next spring.

BUT, there are few folks up there who are on the water EVERYDAY and they have pit tag readers. There has been a very HIGH percentage of pit tags in the number of fish being caught so far this year. For example, there was a gentleman whos first 7 Muskies caught this year and every single one had a tag in it.

That scares me.

But, until next spring, everything is all speculation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

TimmyP19- That's exactly what I was told as well, By several Full-time guides on Vermilion. Hopefully with 3,000 fish stocked annually now it will help. I'm glad they changed the stocking plan added a few more fish, again yes it will take many years to develop and may never reach what it once was. The DNR is hopeful that there is natural reproduction happening so that is also a good thing hopefully we see that happening with the PIT tag program.
Gottagofast
Posted 7/26/2019 11:26 AM (#943140 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 17


Well the large lakes biologists goal was to tag 400 fish this spring. I highly doubt the crew s told anyone they were confident they could catch even close to 70% of the adult population in the two years they plan to sample.
mikie
Posted 7/26/2019 6:18 PM (#943173 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Location: Athens, Ohio
" the boat partner had Bob Marley cranked so loud on the radio that he flashed off at the boat"
Now, I have heard everything: blaming a lost fish on Bob Marley. BA-hahaha. m
ARmuskyaddict
Posted 7/27/2019 2:19 PM (#943201 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 2001


No fish, no cry...
Jeremy
Posted 7/29/2019 10:29 PM (#943362 - in reply to #943201)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 1126


Location: Minnesota.
Took a '49 on a Suick on a favored part of the lake we go to each year but it was certainly a bit rough over the time we were there. A few parties also had some zero fish weeks! It's a far cry from 15-20 yrs ago!!!!

Not kool at all. Most of my fish that I saw weren't in the usual spots save a for a few deeper bars.

Kind'a sux but whatch'a gonna do...She's a beautiful lake that I'll continue to ply with some fav. baits and get a danged workout...
Moon Boy
Posted 8/5/2019 8:36 AM (#943789 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 19


What I don't understand is why there is even a question on whether to stock more fish. I mean the lake is really sliding downhill, but nobody wants to believe it.
4amuskie
Posted 8/5/2019 11:27 AM (#943809 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




The lake has changed and just not the numbers. Forage base and locations have moved and the fish have moved with them.
Kirby Budrow
Posted 8/5/2019 2:27 PM (#943823 - in reply to #943809)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 2256


Location: Chisholm, MN
4amuskie - 8/5/2019 11:27 AM

The lake has changed and just not the numbers. Forage base and locations have moved and the fish have moved with them.


Where did they go?
14ledo81
Posted 8/5/2019 2:50 PM (#943825 - in reply to #943823)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 4269


Location: Ashland WI
Kirby Budrow - 8/5/2019 2:27 PM

4amuskie - 8/5/2019 11:27 AM

The lake has changed and just not the numbers. Forage base and locations have moved and the fish have moved with them.


Where did they go?


I fish northern WI. I can tell you they didn't come here.
Top H2O
Posted 8/6/2019 11:32 AM (#943890 - in reply to #943825)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 4080


Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion
14ledo81 - 8/5/2019 2:50 PM

Kirby Budrow - 8/5/2019 2:27 PM

4amuskie - 8/5/2019 11:27 AM

The lake has changed and just not the numbers. Forage base and locations have moved and the fish have moved with them.


Where did they go?


I fish northern WI. I can tell you they didn't come here.


Trout Lake, Crane ?
4amuskie
Posted 8/6/2019 1:51 PM (#943913 - in reply to #943823)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Kirby Budrow - 8/5/2019 2:27 PM

4amuskie - 8/5/2019 11:27 AM

The lake has changed and just not the numbers. Forage base and locations have moved and the fish have moved with them.


Where did they go?


The only place the could.....problem is, there is an awful lot of water out there to search.
OffshoreDrilling
Posted 8/8/2019 2:56 PM (#944045 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 4


Hey guys, first post here! Heading up to Vermilion the last week of August. We chase a bit of everything on our family trip every year. Is there anywhere reliable to get a water temp report in real time or at least a daily updated posted somewhere? I've done some google-fu without a lot of luck.
Moon Boy
Posted 8/9/2019 10:23 AM (#944083 - in reply to #944045)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 19


OffshoreDrilling - 8/8/2019 2:56 PM

Hey guys, first post here! Heading up to Vermilion the last week of August. We chase a bit of everything on our family trip every year. Is there anywhere reliable to get a water temp report in real time or at least a daily updated posted somewhere? I've done some google-fu without a lot of luck.


That kind of info doesn't exist for Vermilion as far as I know.
MuskyJimmer
Posted 8/19/2019 8:53 AM (#945563 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 9


Heading to Vermilion Thursday - Sunday, any tips or info I need to know? Sounds like a tough bite. This will be my first time on Vermilion. TIA
dKrum
Posted 8/19/2019 2:24 PM (#945585 - in reply to #945563)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 30


When I was there at the end of July most of our action came in the weeds. My son caught a nice 46" fish and I lost a low-mid 40's fish. We saw a few others.
Jeremy
Posted 8/19/2019 6:03 PM (#945597 - in reply to #945563)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 1126


Location: Minnesota.
MuskyJimmer - 8/19/2019 8:53 AM

Heading to Vermilion Thursday - Sunday, any tips or info I need to know? Sounds like a tough bite. This will be my first time on Vermilion. TIA


Take a book...or two. I'm serious, - for the time(s) you'll be pooped and need to relax. Maybe a tin of leeches too.

Good luck!
MuskyJimmer
Posted 8/19/2019 7:30 PM (#945599 - in reply to #945597)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 9


Jeremy - 8/19/2019 6:03 PM

MuskyJimmer - 8/19/2019 8:53 AM

Heading to Vermilion Thursday - Sunday, any tips or info I need to know? Sounds like a tough bite. This will be my first time on Vermilion. TIA


Take a book...or two. I'm serious, - for the time(s) you'll be pooped and need to relax. Maybe a tin of leeches too.

Good luck!


Thanks, we will be relaxing with walleyes and bass.. then right back to casting! haha its going to be a grind.
RJ_692
Posted 8/20/2019 11:39 AM (#945637 - in reply to #943789)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 357


Moon Boy - 8/5/2019 8:36 AM

What I don't understand is why there is even a question on whether to stock more fish. I mean the lake is really sliding downhill, but nobody wants to believe it.


I believe the MN plan is / was to create natural self sustaining populations, not stock to fish fisheries. Current fishing success is similar on quite a few of the MN lakes that were stocked in the same time period.

I would suspect we wont see many if any boom years in MN any time soon.

Back to fish of 10K casts good or bad.
Pat Hoolihan
Posted 8/20/2019 3:21 PM (#945651 - in reply to #945637)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 386


RJ_692 - 8/20/2019 11:39 AM

Moon Boy - 8/5/2019 8:36 AM

What I don't understand is why there is even a question on whether to stock more fish. I mean the lake is really sliding downhill, but nobody wants to believe it.


I believe the MN plan is / was to create natural self sustaining populations, not stock to fish fisheries. Current fishing success is similar on quite a few of the MN lakes that were stocked in the same time period.

I would suspect we wont see many if any boom years in MN any time soon.

Back to fish of 10K casts good or bad.


Exactly
Moon Boy
Posted 8/21/2019 6:27 AM (#945672 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 19


Strange, they stock a lot of lakes heavily in MN. There are just a select few that seem to get the short end of the stick. It doesn't make sense.
TCESOX
Posted 8/21/2019 8:51 AM (#945676 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 1168


Several factors at play here, but one is the individual regional fisheries manager. They have a good amount of leeway in the stocking.
Pat Hoolihan
Posted 8/21/2019 10:08 AM (#945681 - in reply to #945672)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 386


Moon Boy - 8/21/2019 6:27 AM

Strange, they stock a lot of lakes heavily in MN. There are just a select few that seem to get the short end of the stick. It doesn't make sense.


What lakes are currently heavily stocked in MN in your opinion?
Cfollow
Posted 8/21/2019 10:44 AM (#945683 - in reply to #945681)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?


Pat Hoolihan - 8/21/2019 10:08 AM

Moon Boy - 8/21/2019 6:27 AM

Strange, they stock a lot of lakes heavily in MN. There are just a select few that seem to get the short end of the stick. It doesn't make sense.


What lakes are currently heavily stocked in MN in your opinion?


Ever heard of Detroit Lake???? 3,000 fingerlings into 3,000 acre lake every other year. That is an off the charts level of stocking. Any other questions?
Moon Boy
Posted 8/21/2019 10:53 AM (#945684 - in reply to #945683)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 19


Cfollow - 8/21/2019 10:44 AM

Pat Hoolihan - 8/21/2019 10:08 AM

Moon Boy - 8/21/2019 6:27 AM

Strange, they stock a lot of lakes heavily in MN. There are just a select few that seem to get the short end of the stick. It doesn't make sense.


What lakes are currently heavily stocked in MN in your opinion?


Ever heard of Detroit Lake???? 3,000 fingerlings into 3,000 acre lake every other year. That is an off the charts level of stocking. Any other questions?


Exactly. You oughta know that.
Pat Hoolihan
Posted 8/21/2019 11:19 AM (#945685 - in reply to #945683)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 386


Cfollow - 8/21/2019 10:44 AM

Pat Hoolihan - 8/21/2019 10:08 AM

Moon Boy - 8/21/2019 6:27 AM

Strange, they stock a lot of lakes heavily in MN. There are just a select few that seem to get the short end of the stick. It doesn't make sense.


What lakes are currently heavily stocked in MN in your opinion?


Ever heard of Detroit Lake???? 3,000 fingerlings into 3,000 acre lake every other year. That is an off the charts level of stocking. Any other questions?


Just because it's a heavy level of stocking does not ensure angling success. There's more to the picture than stocking; you both should know that. I'm sure you can figure that out based on your sound reasoning skills and copious amounts of joined experience.

Edited by Pat Hoolihan 8/21/2019 11:24 AM
Moon Boy
Posted 8/21/2019 11:24 AM (#945686 - in reply to #945685)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 19


Pat Hoolihan - 8/21/2019 11:19 AM

Cfollow - 8/21/2019 10:44 AM

Pat Hoolihan - 8/21/2019 10:08 AM

Moon Boy - 8/21/2019 6:27 AM

Strange, they stock a lot of lakes heavily in MN. There are just a select few that seem to get the short end of the stick. It doesn't make sense.


What lakes are currently heavily stocked in MN in your opinion?


Ever heard of Detroit Lake???? 3,000 fingerlings into 3,000 acre lake every other year. That is an off the charts level of stocking. Any other questions?


Just because it's a heavy level of stocking does not ensure angling success. There's more to the picture than stocking. I'm sure you can figure that out based on your sound reasoning skills.


I'm not sure what you mean by this. You're saying that more stocking does not mean more fish in the lake to catch? I thought we were talking about stocking densities and not other reasons why people can't catch fish. Also, I'm not sure why you are mocking people you don't even know.

Edited by Moon Boy 8/21/2019 11:30 AM
Pat Hoolihan
Posted 8/21/2019 11:34 AM (#945687 - in reply to #945686)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 386


No, more stocking does not mean a better fishery inherently. I'd consider Detroit to be in its prime from 2000-2008, not now. Same for a lot of lakes that were initially stocked heavy and have gone down hill. Stocking can only take you so far. Theres a reason natural lakes in MN tend to be consistent without huge boom/bust cycles. I'm just returning the favor on things I oughta know, yah know?

Edited by Pat Hoolihan 8/21/2019 11:38 AM
sworrall
Posted 8/21/2019 12:00 PM (#945689 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 32761


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
https://www.facebook.com/OutdoorsFIRST/videos/632674250559876/

Vermilion patterns video with Matt Seifert. Couple big muskies caught recently including a 50. Still a muskie destination, but not near what it was, it's called 'New Reservoir Syndrome'. I argued this years ago that it would be inevitable on Vermilion and Mille Lacs, and pretty much was shouted down on the subject, it's all in that thread a few years back. It's correct the lake will never again be what it was no matter the stocking. It's not just stocking numbers that make that happen. If all the muskie pressure disappeared? That would help if you have 15 years or so.

Pat Hoolihan
Posted 8/21/2019 12:04 PM (#945690 - in reply to #945689)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 386


Thanks for the clarification Steve.
BNelson
Posted 8/21/2019 1:28 PM (#945694 - in reply to #945690)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Location: Contrarian Island
besides ML and V every lake they stock in MN is stocked at a fairly decent ratio per acre.. Plantaganette is another that is about a fish per acre, small lakes like Little Wolf on up to larger lakes get a good # of fish. letting ML and V go from what they were, to the # they put in now is, to me, the worst thing that could happen to all the other lakes in MN ...
DL easy? lol, lots of guys have had their butts handed to them on a silver platter thinking that..
heck including me a time or 2 .. lol

Edited by BNelson 8/21/2019 2:15 PM
esoxaddict
Posted 8/21/2019 3:14 PM (#945696 - in reply to #945694)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 8703


The problem is that the fish they are stocking today are competing with fish from last year and the year before and so on. The % of them that will get to trophy size is nowhere near the number of fish that grew big in the initial stockings. Those first few year classes had the entire lake to themselves. 12-15 years down the road, the fishing is the best it will ever be. After that, when those first few year classes start dying off, you get a fishery that looks more like... Well, what's "normal" for that lake.

I'm no biologist, but I wonder if reduced stocking numbers is the best way to go about it. Fewer muskies = bigger muskies??

Or maybe the best approach is not stocking the same number of fish every year. The natural lakes have good spawning years and bad spawning years.
TCESOX
Posted 8/22/2019 9:12 AM (#945737 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 1168


I believe the overall philosophy of the DNR, statewide, is to have a low density, trophy fishery. However, as I stated before, each regional supervisor has quite a bit of discretion. Some don't even want to stock at approved levels, and others stock all they can. I think the DNR would like to add more lakes, to spread out the pressure, but politically, that is a heavy lift. Just look at the last round of lakes added. In a few years, those lakes will probably be experiencing the new reservoir syndrome, and then taper off as well.
Jeremy
Posted 8/23/2019 1:18 PM (#945799 - in reply to #942876)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?




Posts: 1126


Location: Minnesota.
I wish we/they/someone would come up w/a way to help with the "good" weed population/growth on the V. I know about the rusties and how they took out the growth and now a little is coming back (and, it seems, the rusties are on the decline???) but I'm just here to hope.

Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Then we'd all be bit_chin' about all the fishing pressure. *grins*.... Here's hoping.
Baby Mallard
Posted 8/24/2019 11:33 AM (#945829 - in reply to #945694)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





BNelson - 8/21/2019 1:28 PM

besides ML and V every lake they stock in MN is stocked at a fairly decent ratio per acre.. Plantaganette is another that is about a fish per acre, small lakes like Little Wolf on up to larger lakes get a good # of fish. letting ML and V go from what they were, to the # they put in now is, to me, the worst thing that could happen to all the other lakes in MN ...
DL easy? lol, lots of guys have had their butts handed to them on a silver platter thinking that..
heck including me a time or 2 .. lol


I looked up the last MN DNR targeted survey population on muskies in Plantagenet. The "MN DNR 2018 results indicate that approximately 433 adult Muskellunge inhabited the 2,531 acre lake in 2017 at a density of 0.17 adult muskies per surface-acre."



Kirby Budrow
Posted 8/24/2019 1:26 PM (#945837 - in reply to #945829)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Posts: 2256


Location: Chisholm, MN
Baby Mallard - 8/24/2019 11:33 AM

BNelson - 8/21/2019 1:28 PM

besides ML and V every lake they stock in MN is stocked at a fairly decent ratio per acre.. Plantaganette is another that is about a fish per acre, small lakes like Little Wolf on up to larger lakes get a good # of fish. letting ML and V go from what they were, to the # they put in now is, to me, the worst thing that could happen to all the other lakes in MN ...
DL easy? lol, lots of guys have had their butts handed to them on a silver platter thinking that..
heck including me a time or 2 .. lol


I looked up the last MN DNR targeted survey population on muskies in Plantagenet. The "MN DNR 2018 results indicate that approximately 433 adult Muskellunge inhabited the 2,531 acre lake in 2017 at a density of 0.17 adult muskies per surface-acre."





I think he means fish stocked per acre. Not adult fish per acre. Would be nice though
BNelson
Posted 8/24/2019 1:55 PM (#945839 - in reply to #945837)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Location: Contrarian Island
They use to stock more. They put 1500 in every other yr now.
Baby Mallard
Posted 8/24/2019 2:34 PM (#945840 - in reply to #945837)
Subject: Re: Vermilion Fishing Reports?





Kirby Budrow - 8/24/2019 1:26 PM

Baby Mallard - 8/24/2019 11:33 AM

BNelson - 8/21/2019 1:28 PM

besides ML and V every lake they stock in MN is stocked at a fairly decent ratio per acre.. Plantaganette is another that is about a fish per acre, small lakes like Little Wolf on up to larger lakes get a good # of fish. letting ML and V go from what they were, to the # they put in now is, to me, the worst thing that could happen to all the other lakes in MN ...
DL easy? lol, lots of guys have had their butts handed to them on a silver platter thinking that..
heck including me a time or 2 .. lol


I looked up the last MN DNR targeted survey population on muskies in Plantagenet. The "MN DNR 2018 results indicate that approximately 433 adult Muskellunge inhabited the 2,531 acre lake in 2017 at a density of 0.17 adult muskies per surface-acre."





I think he means fish stocked per acre. Not adult fish per acre. Would be nice though :)


Yeah you are right. 0.17 fish per acre is still pretty low numbers in my opinion. I read the DNR also also takes muskies out of plantagenet to stock other lakes. The other question would be how many of the fish stocked actually survive to adulthood. Sometimes the number of fish stocked doesn't matter if they are eaten before they reach adulthood.