Lake Vermilion
About Lake Vermilion
Lake Vermilion is a 39,272-acre lake near Tower in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 76 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 341.5 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 270 St. Louis County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.6 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to walleye, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There are 17 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the city, township, Minnesota DNR, and US Forest Service. Kabetogama State Forest - Wakemup Bay Campground and McKinley Park Campground are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 30, based on 287 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Lake Vermilion
- 39,272 acres, up to 76 feet deep, near Tower
- 17 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the city, township, Minnesota DNR, and US Forest Service
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 7.6 feet
- Camping close to the water at Kabetogama State Forest - Wakemup Bay Campground and McKinley Park Campground
- Listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 17 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- city, township, Minnesota DNR, US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 39,272 acres
- Max depth
- 76 ft
- Shoreline
- 341.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 15,006 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 17 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: Kabetogama State Forest - Wakemup Bay Campground, McKinley Park Campground, and Vermilion Ridge Campground.
- Marina: Timbuktu Marina and Shamrock Marina
- Picnic area
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Power boating and big-water cruising
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Big water: wind builds dangerous waves quickly, so check the forecast and carry safety gear
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 17
- Game fish
- 13
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Walleye: All from 20-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession. Possession limit four.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 30
- Years of record
- 287
- Earliest
- March 28, 2012
- Latest
- May 23, 1950
- Most recent
- April 28, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Kabetogama State Forest - Wakemup Bay Campground, McKinley Park Campground, Vermilion Ridge Campground., and Camp Vermilion are mapped on or near Lake Vermilion. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Lake Vermilion
Compare Lake Vermilion against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Lake Vermilion ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Lake Vermilion ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Lake Vermilion ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Lake Vermilion ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Wolf Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower179 acres
3.1 miles away
Lost Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Peyla752 acres
4 miles away
Pike River Flowage
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower214 acres
6.9 miles away
Merritt Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower198 acres
7 miles away
Trout Lake
73 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower7,425 acres
7.8 miles away
Pine Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Soudan830 acres
8.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Vermilion?
Lake Vermilion is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Tower. It covers 39,272 acres and reaches 76 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Lake Vermilion?
Lake Vermilion covers 39,272 acres with about 341.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 76 feet.
What fish can you catch at Lake Vermilion?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Lake Vermilion?
Yes. Lake Vermilion has 17 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the city, township, Minnesota DNR, and US Forest Service. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Lake Vermilion?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Lake Vermilion. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Lake Vermilion stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Lake Vermilion; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Lake Vermilion?
Yes. All from 20-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession. Possession limit four.
When does the ice go out on Lake Vermilion?
The median ice-out date is April 30, from 287 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 28, 2012 and the latest is May 23, 1950.
Can you camp at Lake Vermilion?
Yes. Kabetogama State Forest - Wakemup Bay Campground, McKinley Park Campground, and Vermilion Ridge Campground. are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Lake Vermilion have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Lake Vermilion as infested with spiny waterflea. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.