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Posts: 151
Location: Chippewa Falls, WI | Im considering adding another destination trip to my musky seasons. I fish a few days on st Claire (with Hulbert) and spend a week on LOTW. I realize both lakes have trophy potential and vermilion is closer for me living in western WI. Just wondering what some thoughts are from guys that have spent time on either body of water. What are some general pros and cons of each? My impression is that neither lake is really a place for big numbers like LOTW but true trophy potential is higher...again just my impression from what I've read and seen. I've never wet a line on either lake. If you could spend a week on either vermillion or eagle which one would it be and why? |
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Posts: 27
| Never fished Vermillion but I would have a hard time thinking it's better then Eagle. Eagle can be tough but some true monsters there, as there are on Vermillion but with much less people/pressure. Eagle lake island lodge is the perfect place to stay and take guide LINDSEY HEAVENER if you stay there . |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Canada > USA |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Why not do Vermilion for 7 days in August at the Spring Bay Outing for $375 and learn a TON of Crap about the lake, and meet some really cool Muskie First hard core guys & Gals.... And then hit Eagle in the fall where you will have a chance at a Monster. Do both.
You won't regret it.
Eagle is on my Bucket list. |
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Posts: 734
Location: Watertown, MN | Both are great lakes and both can be number lake if conditions are right, 3 in 15 on ealge lost a 4th. Both have big fish potential, eagle probably a better shot of fish of lifetime. Seen biggest fish on eagle lake, love the scenery less pressure then vermilion come summer. Can expect fish a day average for both pending bite. Walleye fishing on Eagle is phenomenal. I would stay Andy meyers, nobody better then herbie on getting guest on fish. Either way would get a guide to shorten learning curve. Biggest decision is driving, scenery vs possible pressure.
Troyz
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Posts: 92
| Have only done Eagle two or three times but i would opt for eagle just for the more wilderness experience. I love the V also but traffic can be a bit nuts at times there.
Not that there isn't some traffic on Eagle during peak times, but for the most part you aren't doing the Merry go round that happens on some of our MN waters.
Both lakes have monsters in them. I like being able to fish stained water and then change it up and fish trout water at the drop of a hat also if conditions warrant. |
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Posts: 2063
| I'd pick Eagle over Vermillion but Vermilion over either  |
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Posts: 897
| I've spent time on both, enough to know they can both be tough nuts to crack and both hold giant fish. I can't stand the traffic and pressure on Vermilion. If you're going during an off-peak time, maybe I'd consider Vermilion...but probably not. Eagle, hands down, for me. |
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Posts: 7083
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Like "whynot", I've fished both. Vermillion is "Eagle-Light" in my opinion. Both have opportunities at big fish, Vermillion definitely has a "Canadian shield lake" feel to it but....if you want to get away from the crowds, fish whole sections of a lake where you might see only a couple of boats (versus many) in a day, I'd head to Eagle. If you don't mind sharing the water, don't mind a good deal more pleasure boaters, want to avoid a longer drive, or are going later in the fall, then Vermillion is your place. If you want the same fishery (or better?), less people, more of the Canadian escape feel, go to Eagle
*caveat, I've got all of 4 days on Vermillion and a lot more time than that on Eagle. |
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Posts: 441
| If you like crowds, and playing "merry-go-round" on the islands and reefs, with other boats, then Vermilion is the place!
If you come to Vermilion, you will see me on one of those "merry-go-rounds"  |
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Posts: 705
Location: Alex or Alek? | I don't want to hijack this thread so feel free to PM me but is vermilion crowded early season as well? Making my first trip up there (middle-west end) opener this year and just curious on what to expect.
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Posts: 2376
Location: Chisholm, MN | MOJOcandy101 - 3/13/2017 3:20 PM
I don't want to hijack this thread so feel free to PM me but is vermilion crowded early season as well? Making my first trip up there (middle-west end) opener this year and just curious on what to expect.
Pretty much crowded all the time...but worse on the good moon phases in mid summer. There is getting to be more and more on opener every year, but it's not terrible. |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | Not even close to the same comparison. Eagle in a second |
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Posts: 303
Location: Not where I want to be! | I fish both. That being said Vermilion has slipped imho in the last 15 years. A lot less fish, but still has really big fish. Pressure can be crazy on the V. For the experience, Eagle. |
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Posts: 386
| I can't speak for Eagle as I've never been there but I do spend 12 days in October on LOTW and used to fish Vermillion a lot from 2001-2010. I just can't go there anymore because of the pressure. It just wasn't fun anymore and I was comparing it to the glory days when you could fish for 3 days and see a handful of boats on the whole lake. I know guys who go to Eagle all the time and there's a reason for it. Like others have stated: if you don't want to drive as far, deal with border crossing, and don't mind pressure....go to Vermillion. If you want to "get away" then I'd head to Eagle, just make sure to wring by northern MN and pick me up on the way! |
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Posts: 98
Location: Tulsa, OK | I have been going to Eagle since the late 90s. I can tell you of times of raising 37 fish in a 3 hour window, and going 8 hours and not seeing a fish but then you get a 48" right at dark to save your day. The great thing about Eagle is you never run out of spots to hit, and there are 3 different type of water to fish. Osbourne is very dark water. The west side is very clear and everything in between is a combo of the other two sections. I have seen many big fish in the years going up there and truly can't wait to get back each year. I would recommend Eagle to anyone. The lake has its ups and downs, but it is truly a trophy fish lake and there are big Pike to be had as well. |
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Posts: 1150
Location: Minnesota. | Musky Brian - 3/13/2017 3:41 PM
Not even close to the same comparison. Eagle in a second
What Brian said!!! No question......... |
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Posts: 45
| Vermilion is a great lake, but Eagle is even better and without the crowds/pressure.
I struggle on Vermilion and have gone many 3 day trips without a fish in the net, but I am almost 1 fish per day on Eagle average and I'm pretty new at this yet. |
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Posts: 1516
| when u go to Eagle lake when do u stay? American plan or housekeeping. |
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Posts: 7083
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Pepper - 3/20/2017 10:52 AM
when u go to Eagle lake when do u stay? American plan or housekeeping.
Andy Myers Lodge http://www.andymyerslodge.com/ |
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Posts: 32
| We are doing the American plan at Century Lodge this year, in Sept. $899 per person in a cabin with hot water and electricity 24/7, 3 meals per day included. (bringing our own boat). This is our first time to Eagle, but I think we're set up properly for a great week. |
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Posts: 45
| I stay at Birchdale lodge and bring my own food and as much gas across the border as I can, very affordable. Probably not much more than Vermilion to be honest. I actually get better phone service too (Verizon with pay per day international, costs me $2/day to have LTE internet and full use of phone). |
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