A Legacy of Legendary Waters
Across North America, thousands of lakes, rivers, and streams offer rewarding fishing experiences to those who know them well. Yet a select few rise above the rest, earning national reputations for their consistent production, scenic beauty, and multispecies opportunities. Among these famed destinations are Lake Superior, Lake Erie, and the mighty Mississippi River—each steeped in lore, commerce, and big fish potential.
Then there are revered angling gems like Leech Lake in Minnesota, Eagle Lake in Ontario, and the sprawling Lake Oahe, all boasting thriving fish populations and drawing dedicated anglers from around the continent. Nestled in the heart of Minnesota lies another such treasure—Lake Vermilion—and that’s where our latest adventure unfolds.
Welcome to Lake Vermilion
Not too big and not too small, Lake Vermilion offers that perfect “just right” blend of size, accessibility, and diversity of species. Known for its robust populations of walleye, musky, northern pike, crappie, largemouth, and smallmouth bass, it’s an angler’s playground. On this outing, James Lindner focuses his attention on one of the lake’s crown jewels: smallmouth bass. 
Within moments of starting their day, the action begins. The pair are fishing a prominent mid-lake rock hump—a classic structure for late-summer bronzebacks—and almost immediately hook into fish.
Understanding Smallmouth Movement and Structure
As Lindner and Wallace explain, the seasonal behavior of smallmouth bass on Lake Vermilion is both fascinating and essential to success. In the spring, these fish are shallow, spawning in protected bays. As summer progresses, they move outward—often migrating miles—to relate to main lake structures like rock reefs, deep basins, and offshore points.
While largemouth bass tend to remain in the shallow, weedy back bays throughout the season, smallmouth are constantly on the move, tracking food sources and temperature changes. At this time in August, they’re often stacked up around 12–15 feet deep on main lake humps, feeding aggressively.
Cranking Up the Action
Jake picks up a crankbait and starts fishing over a reef. Almost instantly, he’s rewarded with a solid smallmouth. The fish are targeting a variety of forage, including crayfish, tulibees, minnows, and even mayflies during parts of the summer. As such, choosing the right presentation—based on the specific forage and depth—is key.
One of the standout baits is the Rapala DT8, which offers a small profile with enough diving depth to reach the fish. This bait excels when bass are cruising mid-depth reefs and transitions.
Matching the Hatch: The Power of Versatility
In the boat, Lindner and Wallace have an impressive spread of lures rigged and ready. From topwater baits like prop baits and poppers, to mid-column choices such as jerkbaits and swimbaits, and finally to bottom contact baits like tubes, Ned rigs, and drop shots—they’re prepared for anything.
The bite proves hot and diverse. Fish are caught on multiple presentations, often in quick succession, and the color and condition of each smallie tell the tale: well-fed, vibrant, and healthy fish are gorging themselves in prime feeding zones.
One fish even spits out crayfish upon being caught—clear proof that bottom-oriented presentations are on target.
The Drop Shot Advantage
When fish are locked into a specific depth—like the 15-foot level the duo identifies—drop-shotting shines. One of the top producers is the Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher, a soft plastic with a compact yet action-packed profile. Built with a solid head for nose-hooking, a thin spine for lifelike motion, and a ribbed body that displaces water, the bait is deadly when fished slowly and precisely.
The enhanced scent and flavor profile ensure smallmouth bite and hold on—resulting in more hookups and fewer missed opportunities.
Other effective drop shot baits include the Jointed Jerk Minnow and the Shaking Squirrel, each designed for subtle action and maximum realism, ideal for matching the hatch in pressured waters.
A Multispecies Mecca
While this trip centers on smallmouth bass, Lake Vermilion offers so much more. It’s a world-class musky fishery, a premier walleye destination, and home to healthy populations of largemouth bass, crappie, and even whitefish—a largely untapped resource that adds yet another layer of intrigue to this dynamic lake.
As James notes, largemouth are most abundant on the lake’s western side, often found in the shallow weed bays. And while few target whitefish, they represent an additional forage base that supports predator species like musky and pike.
The “Mini Lake of the Woods”: Vermilion’s Diverse Offerings
Lake Vermilion has long been a favorite among seasoned anglers, and for good reason. Its diverse structure—riddled with islands, underwater humps, and rocky points—draws comparisons to Canada’s famed Lake of the Woods. According to local guide Billy Rosner, it’s like a miniature version, offering safe and productive fishing regardless of weather thanks to its protected zones and navigable terrain.
As Jake Wallace jokingly notes while hooking into another smallmouth, the lake is “a rocky sucker.” That structure is a magnet for both predator and prey. In fact, just days prior to filming, he and his brother returned from a muskie trip during which they also harvested a bounty of local crayfish for a lakeside boil. Lake Vermilion truly is a place of natural abundance.
Basic, Effective Drop Shotting for Smallmouth
The duo kept their drop shot rigging straightforward but highly effective. The setup featured:
- Tungsten drop shot cylinder weights – These sink fast and reduce hang-ups on Vermilion’s rugged bottom.
- VMC NK Finesse Neko hook (Size 2) – With a 3-degree offset for superior hook-ups, a fluorocarbon keeper, and a resin-sealed eye, this hook is ideal for various drop shot techniques including nose hooking and Texas rigging.
- Rod and line – James fished with a 6’10” St. Croix Victory medium-light rod paired with 10-lb Sufix 832 braid and an 8-lb Sufix fluorocarbon leader. Jake used a Daiwa Revros LT3000, a finesse-friendly reel with ultra-smooth drag.
Both anglers noted how important it was to fish nearly vertically in deep rocky areas to minimize snags and capitalize on sonar readings.
High-Tech Fishing with Forward-Looking Sonar
A major advantage on this trip was the use of Humminbird Mega Live forward-facing sonar. This real-time imaging tool allowed the team to:
- Locate and isolate fish before making a cast
- Track the fall of their drop shot baits
- Observe fish reacting to lures in real-time—either moving in or pulling away
Though still new to this tech, James remarked how it’s already reshaping the way anglers interact with underwater structure and fish behavior.
Weather Adjustments and Shallow Patterns
Lake Vermilion can see serious wind, and on this particular day, gusts up to 25 mph forced the anglers to adapt. Fortunately, the lake’s labyrinth of islands made it easy to find calmer zones. Switching to shallower patterns with Minn Kota assistance, they continued to catch fish near docks and inside weedlines—an example of the lake’s versatility.
As the season progresses and water temperatures cool, smallmouths will transition once again, forming dense schools on deeper structure. Timing these movements is key to success, especially on big water.
A Lake of Endless Potential
When it comes to fabulous smallmouth bass fishing, Lake Vermilion belongs on any angler’s bucket list. With consistent action, trophy potential, multispecies opportunities, and stunning scenery, it’s as fun and rewarding as any fishery in the Upper Midwest.
