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VERMILION, LAKE


Lake Information

County: Vermilion

Acreage: 900

Average Depth: 12.01 feet

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? Unrestricted

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? Yes

Swimming? No

Picnicking? Yes

Camping? No

larger map link Dam North End Ramp


    Click on area names for a more detailed map.
    Dam, North End, Ramp

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There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Very Good

During the most recent fish survey, Bluegill were collected at a rate of 158.6 per hour of electrofishing. The average catch rate for the past six surveys is 124 Bluegill per hour. Approximately 42% of the Bluegill collected were larger than 6 inches.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Average

During the most recent fish survey, catfish were collected at a rate of only 1.5 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 146.6 bass per hour of electrofishing. The average catch rate for the past six surveys is 108.2 bass per hour. The size structure of the bass population looks good with 59% being over 12 inches in length and 26% over 15 inches (based on bass collected that were 8 inches and larger). The largest bass collected during the 2021 survey was 3.9 pounds. Site Regulation: 15" length limit, 6 fish daily limit.

WHITE CRAPPIE

Fair

The catch rate for White Crappie during the most recent fish survey was 25.6 per hour of electrofishing. The average catch rate for the past six surveys is 70 White Crappie per hour. The number of White Crappie in surveys has declined to low levels and is a concern for producing a quality crappie fishery. Based upon crappie 5 inches and longer, 85% were over 8 inches and 38% were longer than 10 inches. Size structure is good, but numbers are too low. Site Regulation: 15 fish daily limit; 9-inch minimum length limit.

Location: Lake Vermillion is located on the west edge of the City of Danville.

Description: Lake Vermilion is owned by the Consumers Illinois Water Company (CIWC), which has leased the surface rights to the Vermilion County Conservation District (VCCD) to make the lake available to the public for boating and fishing. Lake Vermilion has a maximum depth of 30 feet and an average depth of 12 feet.

Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only, except that sport anglers can take carp, carpsuckers, and buffalo by pitchfork, gigs, bow and arrow, or bow and arrow devices north of Boiling Springs Road, but not within 300 feet around the wetland boardwalk. Trotline and jug fishing are allowed north of Boiling Springs Road. Season Pass Decals or a Daily Fee Pass are required for all boats and can be obtained at the concession stand by the boat ramp.

Site Regulations:
Largemouth bass: 15" length limit, 6 fish daily limit
Crappie: 9" length limit; 15 fish daily limit.

Contact Information:
Lake Vermilion:
217-442-7561
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Mike Garthaus
217-784-4730

There were 14 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.

Species Total Fish Caught
Crappie 9
Largemouth Bass 468
Smallmouth Bass 39

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:

1     4.60 lbs
2     4.14 lbs
3     3.81 lbs
4     3.75 lbs
5     3.71 lbs

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:

1 273.11 lbs
2 153.23 lbs
3 121.25 lbs
4 112.73 lbs
5 101.25 lbs


Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.

Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.

2023 – 2024 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
April-2025745ApprovedCounty Park boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-1825746ApprovedCounty Park boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1525747ApprovedCounty Park boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-1325130ApprovedCounty Park boat
hook
16Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-2025748ApprovedCounty Park boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-1725749ApprovedCounty Park boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
September-1425529ApprovedCounty Park boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
September-2125750ApprovedCounty Park boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
September-28
*September-29
26081ApprovedCounty Park boat
hook
35Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
October-0525751ApprovedCounty Park boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes