---
type: lake
name: "Lake Vermilion"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Tower"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 39272
max_depth_ft: 76
latitude: 47.88136
longitude: -92.41895
lake_score: 80
dnr_lake_id: "69037800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/lake-vermilion
---

# Lake Vermilion

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Tower

- **Surface Area**: 39,272 acres
- **Max Depth**: 76 ft
- **Shoreline**: 341.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 17 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 80/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 17 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city, township, Minnesota DNR, US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 17
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Walleye**: All from 20-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession. Possession limit four.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground, Picnic Area, Marina

### Campgrounds

- Kabetogama State Forest - Wakemup Bay Campground
- McKinley Park Campground
- Vermilion Ridge Campground.
- Camp Vermilion

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

spiny waterflea. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 30
- **Years of record**: 287
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-28
- **Latest**: 1950-05-23

## Nearby Lakes

- [Wolf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/wolf-lake-tower) - 3.1 miles, 179 acres
- [Lost Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/lost-lake) - 4 miles, 752 acres
- [Pike River Flowage](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/pike-river-flowage) - 6.9 miles, 214 acres
- [Merritt Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/merritt-lake) - 7 miles, 198 acres
- [Trout Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/trout-lake) - 7.8 miles, 7,425 acres
- [Pine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/pine-lake) - 8.8 miles, 830 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.88136,-92.41895)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69037800)
- [All lakes in St. Louis County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/lake-vermilion)*