Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Very Good

During the most recent fish survey, Bluegill were collected at a rate of 196.5 per hour of electrofishing and the management objective is 175 to 250 Bluegill per hour. The average catch rate for the past six surveys is 124 Bluegill per hour. Approximately 27% of the Bluegill collected were larger than 6 inches. There is no Bluegill regulation on Lake Vermilion.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Average

During the most recent fish survey, catfish were collected at a rate of only 4 per hour of electrofishing. The average catch rate for the past six surveys is 4.6 per hour. Catfish ranged in size from 7 inches to 17 inches.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

During the most recent fish survey, the catch rate was 94 bass per hour of electrofishing and the management objective is 100 to 125 bass per hour. The size structure of the bass population looks good with 72% being over 12 inches in length and 29% over 15 inches (based on bass collected that were 8 inches and larger). The length limit is 15 inches, and the daily creel limit is 6. Site Regulation: 15" minimum length limit, 6 fish daily limit.

WHITE CRAPPIE

Fair

The catch rate for White Crappie during the most recent fish survey was 37 per hour of electrofishing and the management objective is 50 to 75 White Crappie per hour. Based upon crappie 5 inches and longer, 99% were over 8 inches and 69% were longer than 10 inches. Size structure is good, but numbers are low. A new regulation 9-inch minimum length limit was implemented in 2023 to protect smaller White Crappie and increase the density of White Crappie. The crappie regulation is a 9-inch length limit and 15 fish daily harvest limit. Site Regulation: 15 fish daily limit; 9-inch minimum length limit.

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