Vermilion River
About Vermilion River
Vermilion River is a 1,071-acre river lake near Buyck in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It has roughly 17.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.3 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2018.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface). 5 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Vermilion River
- 1,071 acres, near Buyck
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 5.3 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,071 acres
- Shoreline
- 17.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.3 ft
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
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Camping (5 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Current, barge traffic and changing water levels make this different from a still lake
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 12
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2018
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- No
- Boat launch
- Yes
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 Vermilion River. 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 Vermilion River
Compare Vermilion River against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Oriniack Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower744 acres
4.9 miles away
Merritt Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower198 acres
5.1 miles away
Winchester Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Orr319 acres
5.2 miles away
Picket Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck317 acres
5.8 miles away
Wolf Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower179 acres
6.5 miles away
Trout Lake
73 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower7,425 acres
6.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Vermilion River?
Vermilion River is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Buyck. It covers 1,071 acres.
How big and how deep is Vermilion River?
Vermilion River covers 1,071 acres with about 17.3 miles of shoreline. The DNR has no depth on record.
What fish can you catch at Vermilion River?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Vermilion River?
Yes. Vermilion River has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth). DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Vermilion River?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Vermilion River. 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 Vermilion River stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Vermilion River; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Vermilion River?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.