Big Vermilion Lake

Big Vermilion Lake in located in the Kenora District west of the town of Sioux Lookout, Ontario, and the nearby town of Hudson, Ontario. Big Vermilion Lake covers an area of 68.64 km² (16,961 acres) and is fed by Little Vermilion Lake to the south (which is partially within the Ojibway Provincial Park) and flows out on the northeastern shore of the lake into a 6 km runoff (Vermilion River) that empties into Pelican Lake. The maximum depth of Big Vermilion Lake is 42 metres, approximately 140 feet.

Big Vermilion Lake is part of a large chain of lakes that makes up the English River system and you can access Lac Seul and other lakes if you choose through multiple rivers, creeks and streams nearby. Some of these are Sucker Creek, Goodie Creek, Blackfox Creek, Hooch Creek, Muskie Creek, Fire Creek, Moose Creek, Centrefire Creek, Suzanne River and Vermilion River. The lake served as a main waterway for fur traders when Canada was first being settled.

Big Vermilion Lake lays east-west with sheltered bays, rock piles and reefs.  Rock piles and reefs are a norm for this lake, and when traveling on this lake it can be hazardous if you are not familiar with the area. When the winds pick up the lake can turn very rough due to location layout and the sheltered bays can be your refuge. Big Vermilion Lake is specked with rock piles, reefs and islands with interesting structures for the fish species to thrive. The rock reefs and points make Big Vermilion Lake a hot spot for Muskie fishing. The crystal clear deep cool waters are a haven for the Lake Trout, with Big Vermilion Lake being the ‘go to lake’ for Lake Trout fishing in the area.

Big Vermilion Lake is surrounded by the abundance of wildlife with Moose, the rare Woodland Caribou, Deer, Lynx, Black Bear, Ruffled Grouse, Osprey, Bald Eagles, Loons,  just to name a few of the different wildlife that you can observe at Big Vermilion Lake. Imagine canoeing or kayaking close to the shorelines of Big Vermilion Lake and spotting a Moose snacking on the aquatic plants that you see in the sheltered bays, or watching the rare Woodland Caribou crossing the lake to its calving location in a secluded area of the lake. Listen to the cries of the loons in the early morning as the mist dances along the lake.

Big Vermilion Lake is a naturally occurring Lake Trout lake, and is monitored closely by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. In order for any lake to be a naturally occurring Lake Trout lake means that the body of water that the Lake Trout choose to thrive in is the cleanest, coldest, and deepest lake. Lake Trout are very sensitive to human impacts, and water purity levels. This means that when fishing on Big Vermilion Lake, the Lake Trout in this lake will be the cleanest and freshest fish you can eat. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says that Big Vermilion Lake is one of the few lakes in the Sioux Lookout district with Lake Trout. Lake Trout is a sensitive and slow-growing fish species and the MNRF enhanced regulations on the lake since 2004 to help sustain its stressed population. The Lake Trout season is closed on Big Vermilion Lake from October 1^st – December 31^st. The MNRF’s regulations state that it is also illegal to fish for closed-season fish, even if you practice catch and release. If you accidentally catch a closed-season species, you are urged to immediately release the fish and change your location.

Big Vermilion has been one of this area’s most important lake trout chains in Canada for decades. This is a multi-species lake and with its clear water hosts Northern Pike, Muskie, Lake Trout, Whitefish, Smallmouth Bass and Yellow Perch. It’s absolutely perfect for those who enjoy a variety of species to fish. Bass, Muskie and Trout are the main fish species in this fantastic lake. Attempts to introduce Walleye have for the most part failed, however the smallmouth bass and Muskie that were introduced have flourished.  Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Muskie and Perch can all be found in the waters. Lake Trout are obviously the most sought after species in the lake. Trout up to 52 pounds have been caught in the waters. Muskies weighing up to 54 pounds have also been caught. Muskie can be found around Hudson and Johnson’s Narrows. The bass fishing seems to be getting better and better with every passing year. The Muskie seasonally spawn happens in August to early fall is the favourite time for anglers fishing for Muskie. Lake Trout are plentiful and although there is fishing regulations for Big Vermilion Lake for slot sizes, anglers are rarely disappointed. For the avid angler fishing for Lake Trout in the late season can be very rewarding. The multiple hits of the aggressive Lake Trout from the depths of the lake preparing to spawn and hitting everything in sight is a thrill of a lifetime. Big Vermilion’s fishing regulations are slightly different from the rest of the Sioux Lookout area lakes in that only artificial lures are permitted and no live bait is allowed. Please check the Ontario Fishing Regulations for Big Vermilion when planning your fishing trip to Big Vermilion Lake. https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing

Big Vermilion Lake is an outdoor paradise throughout the seasons. Fishing on the shoreline or by boat is a popular pastime for locals and visitors alike in the spring, summer and fall. When the cool weather of fall hits Big Vermilion Lake, the hunters arrive in droves from all parts of Ontario. The hunters looking for the majestic Moose are not far from the shores of Big Vermilion Lake, as the same is true for Black Bears and Lynx. Big Vermilion Lake is located within the boundaries of Wildlife Management Unit Zone Five, and the opportunities for hunting are endless for harvesting your preferred game. When Big Vermilion Lake freezes over the lake becomes a winter paradise with snowmobiling trails and ice fishing opportunities.

Nutt’s Country Cabins sits nestled in Big Vermilion’s Botham Bay overlooking one of the most producing trout fisheries in the area. It’s shorelines of Big Vermilion stretches for 86 miles surrounding this dynamic body of crystal clear water with a maximum depth of 140 feet. Although Big Vermilion Lake is noted for its trophy lake trout fishery, it’s also popular for its beauty with shimmering waters and tree-lined shores amongst rocky outcrops and specked with islands. Easy on and easy off access as the launch is situated right next to the camp. Take the kids to either one of the waterfalls in a matter of minutes. Pack a picnic and boat to either Twin Falls where Little Vermilion Lake feeds into Big Vermilion or venture off in the other direction through Vermilion River onto Pelican Lake for a view of Pelican Falls. It’s a great way to relax.

Would you like more info? Please call us toll free at 1-844-905-1001 or email us at info@nuttscountrycabins.com for more information and to plan your trip with Nutt’s Country Cabins on beautiful Big Vermilion Lake. You will be happy you made the call.