---
type: lake
name: "Little Vermilion Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Crane Lake"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1288
max_depth_ft: 52
latitude: 48.28007
longitude: -92.41148
lake_score: 57
dnr_lake_id: "69060800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/little-vermilion-lake
---

# Little Vermilion Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake

- **Surface Area**: 1,288 acres
- **Max Depth**: 52 ft
- **Shoreline**: 37.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Public access on record
- **Lake Score**: 57/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Canada

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Public access on record
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **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.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, Mooneye, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

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

## Nearby Lakes

- [Dovre Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/dovre-lake) - 0.6 miles, 116 acres
- [Mukooda Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/mukooda-lake) - 5.2 miles, 774 acres
- [Loon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/loon-lake) - 5.5 miles, 2,498 acres
- [Crane Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/crane-lake) - 5.6 miles, 2,921 acres
- [Little Loon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/little-loon-lake) - 7 miles, 167 acres
- [Sand Point Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/sand-point-lake) - 7.5 miles, 8,527 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.28007,-92.41148)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69060800)
- [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/little-vermilion-lake)*