Vermilion River Fishing
St. Louis County, Vermilion River State Water Trail.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
Getting to know the Vermilion River
Across St. Louis County, the Vermilion River winds along as a river. GIS lines trace roughly 110 miles of it in the state. The nearest incorporated city is Tower, about 8 miles from its midpoint. The DNR maps it as the Vermilion River State Water Trail.
There are 1 active gauge along it. Put-ins on file: 11 public accesses.
USGS gauges along the Vermilion River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Vermilion River Nr Crane Lake, Mn | 790 cfs, 8.12 ft gage height | Nov 13 2:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 3:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Accesses on the Vermilion River
- Pike River (S) Accesscarry-in access, 4 trailer stalls, St. Louis County, river mile 80.6
- Vermilion River,Shivley Falls Accesscarry-in access, St. Louis County, river mile 47.6
- Vermilion River, 8 Mile creek Accesscarry-in access, St. Louis County, river mile 38
- Vermilion River, Co Rd 24 Accesscarry-in access, toilet, St. Louis County, river mile 30.3
- Vermilion River Co Rd 491 Access1 ramp, toilet, St. Louis County, river mile 9.9
- Vermilion River, Holmes Creek Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, St. Louis County, river mile 0.2
- Crane Lake (W) Access1 ramp, 1 dock, St. Louis County
- Vermilion Lake, Oak Narrows Access2 ramps, 40 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, St. Louis County
- Vermilion Lake, Moccasin Point Access2 ramps, 25 trailer stalls, 5 docks, toilet, St. Louis County
- Vermilion Lake, Frazer Bay Access2 ramps, 24 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, St. Louis County
- Vermilion Lake, Birch Point Access1 ramp, 1 dock, St. Louis County
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Lake water along the Vermilion River
- Vermilion River1,071 acres
DNR limits on the Vermilion River
Nothing beyond statewide limits is posted for the Vermilion River.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 over 40" in possession, all from 30-40" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 northern pike over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 8, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Close by Vermilion River
Lakes a short haul from Vermilion River
- Vermilion Lakeunder a mile
- Wolf Lake near Tower, St. Louis County2 miles
- Lost Lake near Tower, St. Louis County5 miles
- Merritt Lake6 miles
Bait counters serving Vermilion River
- Shamrock Resortmarina, Tower, under a mile
- Gruben's Marinamarina, Tower, 2 miles
- Timbuktu Marinamarina, Cook, 3 miles
- Aronson Boat Works Inc.marina, Tower, 7 miles
- Voyageur Tacklebait and tackle shop, St. Louis, 21 miles
Places to bunk near Vermilion River
- Tower8 miles
- Soudan10 miles
- Cook13 miles
- Orr22 miles
Creeks beside the Vermilion River
- East Two River11 miles
- Rice River, St. Louis County17 miles
- Johnson Creek18 miles
- Pelican River, St. Louis County23 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Vermilion River
Spinning and baitcasting picks for the Vermilion River
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Species in the nets at Vermilion River
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Totti, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Thefishingnomad youtube, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Cliff from Arlington, Virginia, USA, CC BY 2.0
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The Vermilion River, questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds the Vermilion River?
DNR route lines put it in St. Louis County.
Is the Vermilion River designated trout water?
Not designated for trout.
Is there a USGS gauge on the Vermilion River?
USGS runs 1 USGS gauge; the table is above.
Where do I launch on the Vermilion River?
11 public accesses; Crane Lake (W) Access is one.
Which DNR rules apply on the Vermilion River?
Statewide limits apply.
Can visitors fish the Vermilion River?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Where are minnows sold near the Vermilion River?
Drive under a mile to reach Shamrock Resort.
What town makes a base on the Vermilion River?
Tower, about 8 miles from the midpoint by air.
Which fish swim in the Vermilion River?
Records point to walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass.
Put the Vermilion River on this season’s list
Check the gauge and the regulations before the trip.