|
|
Posts: 31
| Looking at where to go for this years vacation. Thinking about Vermilion or St Germain. I have been to Vermilion once before, but it was right after the Muskie opener. Seen fish and lost one, but overall it was slow. Have never been to the St Germain area, but looks like there are a lot of lakes to jump around on. I have fished with some guys that write a magazine in the St Germain area and they said that the lakes around there have a ton of pressure for their size. When I fished Vermilion there was not a lot of pressure but it was not at a prime time. This year we will be going the 3rd week of July. So my question is: if you guys could pick which one would you go to and why?
Thanks |
|
| |
|
Posts: 441
| If you are looking for a chance at a "fish of a lifetime", then the "Big V" is the place. It will be crowded, fishing on the community spots. That said, there is a lot of water were nobody hits. Although, there is a reason the community spots, get pounded.
It's a tough nut to crack, if you don't know it. I would hire a guide, the first day. That makes it a lot easier.
It's an awesome lake, and it has everything a muskie nut can ask for.
If you like fishing weeds, then stay on the west side.
I used to fish Northern Wisconsin, when I was young. When I retired, five years ago, I picked Lake Vermilion, for my muskie hunting. Yes, the fishing pressure sucks, but the rewards are worth it. The scenery, in the area is what I looked for, to get that "up north" feel.
If you decide to fish Vermilion, pm me, and I'll be glad to help you. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 230
Location: St Paul, Minnesota | I've fished both so I'll weigh in.
Both are a good time, especially if you are with a good crowd. Two of the three largest fish I've ever had the privilege of seeing (not ever caught) were from these two areas. Though the one was not actually on St. Germain but a couple miles away on Kawaguesaga.
St. Germain/Minocqua Area Lakes:
Minocqua is a great town to be around in July if you want some good food/drinks/post-fishing night life, and Rollie and Helen's Musky Shop is always a good visit. (Though Thorne Bro's could be worked in on your way up to Vermillion)
- July you will find a lot of rec traffic in that area, but there are plenty of lakes of all shapes and sizes with good scenery and varying structure to try to find active fish.
-Weeds. If you prefer to fish weeds or find comfort in having easy access to vast expanses of them this is one large point of consideration for this area over Vermillion.
Vermillion:
-To me Vermillion is "God's Country", the "Big V" giveth and the "Big V" can taketh. You need to be prepared to handle bigger water and you need to be prepared to navigate this lake and it's many hazards. To be unprepared for this lake could change the end result and outlook on the trip for the worse quickly (Though that could be said for any fishing trip).
-This is an "elite" musky lake that attracts all of us by its big fish potential and the sheer number of larger fish caught on it each year.
-Rocks. Most of my time on this lake has been on the East half of the lake, I'm admittedly not too familiar with the current condition of the West half, but what really resonates in my memory is that the East is loaded with rocks (and rusty crayfish). You need to be prepared mentally and in terms of your equipment to navigate and fish all of the rock hazards and structure.
With all of that said, you've fished Vermillion and you know better than us what will make this upcoming trip "a success" to you and your party. Assess your party's gear as well as expectations/ambitions and you'll figure it out.
Good luck with your decision, ultimately you're going to end up fishing some good water!
-C7
Edited by Cloud7 1/14/2014 11:37 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 2378
Location: Chisholm, MN | I've only fished vermilion so I can't speak for the other lake. My experience of fishing vermilion pretty hard over the last few years is that good feeding windows are short, but also predictable. You can go all day or all night without hardly seeing a fish, but when prime time starts you can catch 5 in a row and they are quality fish. Pm me, if you want any other info. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 31
| Thanks for the information guys. I will have to dig out my Lake Vermilion map and look at the spots we fished last time. If we go to Vermilion it will be on the west side. Plan on staying at Spring bay if we go to Vermilion. We had a guide the last time we were on Vermilion. So I am some what familiar with the lake. I will definitely send out some PM soon.
Thanks |
|
| |
