WHAT'S  NEW  AT  THE  LAKE

Northern Pike Fry Released from Rearing Pond

Each year the Sportsmen's Club and the Minnesota DNR operate the Sunset Creek Northern Pike Spawning Area on Lake Vermilion. Sunset Creek, located near the public landing in Head-O-Lakes Bay, is temporarily blocked with "stop logs" to create a rearing pond for northern pike.

During the first week of June, Sportsmen's Club volunteer Rick Pearson slowly drained the pond by removing one "stop log" per day from the exit culvert. The DNR estimates the rearing pond produces 10,000 to 15,000 northern pike fry each year.

[Learn more about the rearing pond activities here.]

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Invasive Species Mid-Season Progress Report

Sportsmen's Club volunteers completed Invasive Species Boat Inspections on Friday, May 8 (fishing opener) and again Friday, May 22 (Memorial Day weekend). A total of 159 boats were checked by 57 volunteers at 6 different ramps as boaters arrived for those busy weekends.

Bob Wilson and Gary Whitenack, who coordinate invasive species boat checks for our organization, said they were pleased to report no signs of invasive plants or animals on any boat or trailer inspected. Our thanks to all the boaters coming to Lake Vermilion for keeping their equipment clean.

And thanks to our many volunteers. If you have two hours to spare on the Friday before the July 4th or Labor Day weekends, please join the team. Call or email east-end coordinator Bob Wilson [contact info] or west-end coordinator Gary Whitenack [contact info].

[Learn more about our invasive species prevention activities here.]

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Map of Lake Vermilion's Shore Lunch Sites Improved

In 1994, the Sportsmen's Club recognized the need for designated locations where boaters could safely pull up to shore and enjoy a lunch.

Over the years, in cooperation with the US Forest Service and the Minnesota DNR, the club has installed boat docks, picnic tables, fire rings, and wilderness latrines at six sites around the lake.

These shore lunch sites get lots of use during the boating season. Sometimes your favorite spot might be busy. To make it easy for you to find all six sites, we've improved our shore lunch map page and added an easy-to-print full-page color map with GPS coordinates and other info for your tackle box or boat's glove compartment.

[Learn more about our shore lunch site activities here.]