It’s been a slow start to the 2026 guide season as cool weather has caused the fish to be tight lipped! The good news: warm weather is on the way, and fishing should improve as early as this coming Memorial Day Weekend! This Lake Vermilion walleye fishing report highlights a tough early bite, but warming temperatures could quickly turn things around by next weekend.
EAST END WALLEYES: The best bite is in deep holes in 20-35 feet of water. Deeper fish are not as affected by cold fronts as their environment doesn’t change as much, or as quickly. Lindy Rigs tipped with small rainbow minnows have been the best way to get these fish to bite. Trolling around at 0.5 to 0.7 mph and putting the bait in front of as many fish as possible has been key to putting some fish in the boat.
We have caught a couple of fish on Leadcore this week in 20-30 foot basins adjacent to the holes. This has by no means been a great bite, but it is a different way to pick up some fish when the holes are a grind.
WEST END WALLEYES: The bite on the west end is a little bit better than on the east end, but a lot of the same patterns still hold, with the majority of the fish being tight-lipped. 20-35 feet of water fishing with Lindy Rigs or jigs with rainbows has been the best way to get fish to bite.
There are some fish to be had in shallow water, but they are very scattered. I wouldn’t expect big numbers, but these fish will be nicer sized than the deep fish.
Justin’s calendar is filling up! Here are the remaining open trips on his calendar for the months of May and June.
MAY:
- 5/21- AM
- 5/25 – AM/PM
- 5/26 – PM
- 5/28 – AM/PM
- 5/29 – PM
- 5/30 – AM/PM
JUNE:
- 6/1 – AM/PM
- 6/2 – PM
- 6/3 – PM
- 6/4 – AM
- 6/9 – PM
- 6/10 – AM
- 6/11 – AM/PM
Call 218-820-0335 or book here to create some memories that will last a lifetime!
09/08/26 Lake Vermilion Fishing Report
