Little Vermilion Lake
About Little Vermilion Lake
Little Vermilion Lake is a 1,288-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 52 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 37.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.9 feet. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. Special fishing regulations apply to walleye and sauger, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. 5 campgrounds 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.
Plan Your Visit to Little Vermilion Lake
- 1,288 acres, up to 52 feet deep, near Crane Lake
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and black crappie
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 7.9 feet
- Camping close to the water
- Border water with Canada — know which side of the line you are fishing on
- Listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,288 acres
- Max depth
- 52 ft
- Shoreline
- 37.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 231 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
- Border-water seasons and limits with Canada differ from Minnesota inland rules
Facilities
- Camping (5 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 15
- Game fish
- 11
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2021
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Special regulations on this lake
- Walleye and Sauger: Combined possession limit six, only four may be walleye. All walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
5 campgrounds are mapped on or near Little Vermilion Lake. 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 Little Vermilion Lake
Compare Little Vermilion Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Little Vermilion Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Little Vermilion Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Little Vermilion Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Little Vermilion Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Dovre Lake
35 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake116 acres
0.6 miles away
Mukooda Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake774 acres
5.2 miles away
Loon Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake2,498 acres
5.5 miles away
Crane Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake2,921 acres
5.6 miles away
Little Loon Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake167 acres
7 miles away
Sand Point Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake8,527 acres
7.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Vermilion Lake?
Little Vermilion Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake. It covers 1,288 acres and reaches 52 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Vermilion Lake?
Little Vermilion Lake covers 1,288 acres with about 37.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 52 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Vermilion Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Burbot and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Vermilion Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Little Vermilion Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Vermilion Lake. 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 Little Vermilion Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Little Vermilion Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Are there special fishing regulations on Little Vermilion Lake?
Yes. Combined possession limit six, only four may be walleye. All walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.
Can you camp at Little Vermilion Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Little Vermilion Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Little Vermilion Lake 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.