Lake Vermilion Fishing
Sized by IDNR at 900 acres, this lake lies in Vermilion County.
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Lake Vermilion, measured out for Illinois anglers
900 acres of lake water make up Lake Vermilion, which IDNR places in Vermilion County. A 30-foot maximum depth appears in the IDNR description. Supplies are closest in Danville, about 3 miles by straight line.
The IDNR launch layer marks 1 boat ramp at this water. The digest names it among the site-specific waters.
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
IDNR page details for Lake Vermilion
- Location (IDNR)Lake Vermillion is located on the west edge of the City of Danville.
- Description (IDNR)Lake Vermilion is a water supply lake owned by Aqua Illinois Inc., which has leased the surface rights to the Vermilion County Conservation District (VCCD) to make the lake available to the public for boating and fishing. Lake Vermilion has a maximum depth of 30 feet and an average depth of 12 feet.
Facilities IDNR checks off at Lake Vermilion
- Family FriendlyYes
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingNo
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingYes
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
Everything above is IDNR wording for Lake Vermilion.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR-rated fish swimming in Lake Vermilion
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | Average | During the most recent fish survey, catfish were collected at a rate of only 4 per hour of electrofishing. The average catch rate for the past six surveys is 4.6 per hour. Catfish ranged in size from 7 inches to 17… |
| White Crappie | Fair | The catch rate for White Crappie during the most recent fish survey was 37 per hour of electrofishing and the management objective is 50 to 75 White Crappie per hour. Based upon crappie 5 inches and longer, 99% were… |
IDNR sources tie these fish to Lake Vermilion: outlook, stocking or a record.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
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- Lake Vermilion Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
Backup launches if the Lake Vermilion lot is full
- Lake Mingo Boat RampLake Mingo, 5 miles northwest
- High Lake Boat Ramp on Long Lake (KSRA)Long Lake (KSRA), 6 miles southwest
- Clear Lake Boat RampClear Lake (KSRA), 6 miles southwest
- Middle Fork Vermilion River Kickapoo State Park Boat Ramp on Clear Lake (KSRA)Clear Lake (KSRA), 6 miles southwest
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Bottom maps for Lake Vermilion
- Lake VermilionIDNR depth map
- Lake Vermillion Boat RampIDNR depth map
- Lake Vermillion DamIDNR depth map
- Lake Vermillion North EndIDNR depth map
IDNR lists 4 depth maps for Lake Vermilion.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Fish allowed in the cooler at Lake Vermilion
| Species group | Daily limit | Statewide rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
Statewide limits hold on Lake Vermilion except where its own entry differs.
Site-specific rules for Lake Vermilion
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Vermilion | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). Sport fishermen may harvest carp, carpsuckers, buffalo, gar, bowfin, and suckers by pitchfork, gigs, bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices north of Boiling Springs Road, but not within 300 feet around wetland boardwalk. Trotline and jug fishing allowed north of Boi |
| Lake Vermilion | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Lake Vermilion | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
- Code 1Sport fishermen must not use more than 2 poles and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached (Alabama rigs not allowed) while fishing, except that legal size cast nets (in accordance with Section 810.50(a)(2)), shad scoops, and minnow …
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 40, read November 4, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR license fees (ifishillinois.org), read November 4, 2026.
Illinois lakes clustered around Lake Vermilion
For more room, Lake Mingo has 170 acres on its IDNR page.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Vermilion | 900 | 30 | 1 | Channel Catfish | |
| Lake Mingo | 5 miles northwest | 170 | 38 | 1 | Bluegill |
| Clear Lake (KSRA) | 6 miles southwest | not printed | 2 | ||
| Long Lake (KSRA) | 6 miles southwest | not printed | 3 | ||
| Homer Lake (CCFPD) | 20 miles west | 81 | 24 | 4 | Bluegill |
| Crystal Lake (UPD) | 30 miles west | 7.0 | 0 |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Near Lake Vermilion
A second lake for the day after Lake Vermilion
- Lake Mingo5 miles northwest
- Clear Lake (KSRA)6 miles southwest
- Long Lake (KSRA)6 miles southwest
- Homer Lake (CCFPD)20 miles west
- Crystal Lake (UPD)30 miles west
Stores with hooks and line around Lake Vermilion
- Henk's Bait & Bitebait and tackle shop, Danville, 4 miles
- Pam's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Georgetown, 16 miles
Free loaner rods within reach of Lake Vermilion
- Kennekuk Cove County ParkDanville, 4 miles
Town bases for anglers near Lake Vermilion
- Danville3 miles
- Tilton6 miles
- Catlin8 miles
Each county Lake Vermilion touches, with links
- Vermilion Countyseat: Danville
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun reels to stow in the truck for Lake Vermilion
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
The ponds and rivers around Lake Vermilion, photographed
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Dave Wright, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Dan, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
Before the tackle box goes in the car for Lake Vermilion
Where in Illinois is Lake Vermilion?
Lake Vermillion is located on the west edge of the City of Danville. Head for Vermilion County, about 3 miles from Danville.
What size does IDNR list for Lake Vermilion?
Its IDNR size is 900 acres, and the IDNR text gives a 30 foot maximum depth.
Does Lake Vermilion have a ramp on the IDNR layer?
Only Lake Vermilion Boat Ramp appears on the IDNR layer.
How is the fishing at Lake Vermilion?
IDNR rates channel catfish average; its sources also name white crappie.
What can I take home from Lake Vermilion?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. Check the site-specific rows above as well.
Which IDNR license goes in my wallet at Lake Vermilion?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Did IDNR inventory a fishing pier at Lake Vermilion?
Its IDNR facility line reads Family Friendly Yes; Handicap Access No, with no inventoried pier.
Which counter near Lake Vermilion keeps a minnow tank?
Head to Henk's Bait & Bite, about 4 miles away,.
Plan a morning on Lake Vermilion
Know what goes in the cooler before you launch.