Walleye Lakes Up North

[Lucky One]

What lakes would you recommend for walleye fishing up north? I would like to find a lake that has good walleye and jumbo perch in it with a campground on the lake. I am planning to go up around mid June. If you know of a good campground on the lake that would be helpful too. Thanks!

[garytheguide]

..lake vermilion.....mckinley park campground...would be a good bet...

[Lucky One]

Thanks. I will give that a try. It looks like a nice place from the HSOforum.

[squeedunk]

I second Vermillion. I camped up there with my parents when I was younger and had a blast. We just found an island campsite on the lake and set up there. I don't know for sure how you make arrangements for that kind of camping, I think it's first come, first serve. We just drove around in our boat until we found a spot. The fishing is fantastic; walleyes, smallies, northerns, muskies...I would love to go back there myself.

[garytheguide]

the campsites on hinsdale island are first come...not to bad for camping...but mckinley has good owners and its a good place....and yes we have plenty of fish...

[Jason Boser]

you could try winni onegum,deer lake williams narrows and seely campgrounds

Jason

[Lucky One]

What rate do you charge for a 1/2 day of guide service on Vermillion? It would include 2 adults.

[guideman]

Lake Vermilion in June has some fantastic walleye action. McKinly park and Hoo Doo point campground both have good facilties for tent or RV camping.

There is also a campground at Moccasin point and there area good number of free campsites, on many of the islands that dot the lake.

A half day guide trip will run anywhere from $150 to $200, depending on who you call. Gary and I also have a new 6 hour rate of $250.00, for up to 3 people. Whatever you decide to do I know you're going to love it here on the Big V.

"Ace"

[upnorth]

I gotta put my two cents in too. You can't beat Vermilion, good fishing, nice campgrounds, and a very scenic lake that you can always find a spot away from the crowds. And there are a couple small towns in the area if you need supplies and of course there is the casino. I ask you what more could you ask for

[gotcatfish]

I'll give a vote to vermillion, great lake for anything i think. Been fishing it for 20+ yrs now. I unfortunately have to move to the cities, got a job offer can't refuse, so i will miss her. A few other lakes for great eye action are Island and Fish lakes which are closer to Duluth. Island has one campground on the east basin, can't think of the name though. Fish lake has alot of islands that are open to camping with no fee, these are on a first come first serve basis. Weekends are always busy so get there early. Have fun and good fishing.

[Fish Head]

I am also looking to take a 4 day fishing/camping trip around the 3rd week of June. I was thinking about Rainy Lake for the Walleye and Smallmouth fishing. How would you compare Rainy with Vermillion?

[Dave B]

Please dont send people to Vermilion. The entire lake has been logged off, the fish have all been netted, there are skyscrapers in the way of the northern lights, the smog always covers the starlit nights, it is in a dry country, they dont allow motors on the water, the ice never goes out, the mosquitos are as big as swallows and the black flies and mayflies cover everything.

Go to Florida. Vermilion is closed.

[jerkin'm]

Fished rainy and vermillion last fall within 2 days-on rainy with a "fairly" known guide. Tough bite on both lakes. I have had better fishing on Vermillion in general, but the last couple years it has become VERY popular. Rainy has less for crowds, as far as fish catching, I would keep looking. my .o2

[Bob O]

I've probably spent more time reading about Rainy and Vermillion than actually fishing them over the past few years, so I'm reporting more of what I've heard than what I've experienced.

Both lakes have excellent reputations for walleye and smallmouth, and you would likely catch comparable numbers on both. I think the average sizes for both species are bigger on Rainy, but you have to release walleyes between 17" and 28" on Rainy. Muskies should be more plentiful on Vermilion than on the U.S. side of Rainy. I think the lakes may be comparable for northerns, but Vermillion does have a protected slot. Rainy has a good reputation for Crappies early in the season - I don't know about Vermillion.

There are other differences in the regulations for sizes and numbers of some species that might have some impact on your plans. You can get the details from the DNR HSOforum.

I think Vermillion has more/better opportunites for road accessible campgrounds. However, if you want to boat to a campsite, then Rainy has numerous incredible opportunities in Voyageurs National Park. I think it is close to 40 miles from the visitor center to the east end of the park. However, the fishing gets better the further you travel (for all lakes, its always better on the other side...). My guess is that you would have a somewhat better chance at finding a good campsite on Rainy than Vermillion if you are looking on Friday during a busy period.

I expect the local guides on this forum will correct my errors and omissions....

Be sure to make your reservations for campgrounds and/or guides soon! Have fun.