August 7 – August 14, 2023

Week 14 of the open water season.

Water temp: 70-75

Walleye

We keep heading in the right direction on the east end of Lake Vermilion. The fishing has been on fire and will only keep improving as we move into fall. There has been a ton of walleye caught the past week and you can catch them a variety of ways depending on what style you like best.

We focused on two main patterns this week, jig and minnow and lead core. The jig and minnow bite is still holding strong in the sand. Sand humps and flats at the mouth of the coves and bays are the target areas for high numbers of walleye early and late in the day. Once the sun gets up the best way to catch late summer walleye is pulling lead core. Pulling small crank baits on lead core in 20-25′ over the mud basins has been producing a ton of fish. The main key to pulling lead core is covering water until you find active fish. The mud flats on Vermilion can span for 4-5 miles and these fish can spread out over the entire thing.

Baits of choice in my boat: lead core, #5 shad raps (crawdad, blue and purple), tungsten jigs with minnows

Bass

The bass fishing is still very good on Vermilion. Casting crankbaits in 4-12′ of water has produced the most fish. We have been fishing rock points and rock piles in that depth range to catch these big footballs. Before long, the jerk bait bite should really start to pickup as the water temp cools. I am still hearing of a good top water bite during the early morning and late evening on top of shallow rock.

Baits of choice in my boat: square bill crank baits, rattle traps, pop r

Check back in next week (8/21) to see next weeks fishing report!

Zach Hrvol

Fishing with Z Guide Service

(218) 404-9200