Fishing Season: Late Winter

Vermilion River - OH

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

49

Orvis Westlake's Tip of the Week

When indicator fishing, experiment with different split shot ammounts. Try adding and subtracting shot to find the ‘sweet spot’ where you are in contact with the bottom, but you aren’t getting snagged every other cast,

Directions open in app

Map of Vermilion River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 4/9/25

04/09/24 - Water levels are currently good, some additional precipitation on Thursday could make for a great weekend. Smallmouth are starting to arrive.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/9/25

Egg or nymphs dead drifted under indicators as well as swung streamers will produce fish.

Local Species Available Late Winter

  • Fish Icon

    Steelhead

Orvis Westlake's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Flash Zonker White 8, 10
Conehead Bunny Muddler Black, White, Olive 6
Kauffman's Stone Black 12
Egg Fly Pink, Orange 10, 12
Mini Shimmer Bugger Black/Orange Bead 8
Mini Shimmer Bugger Purple/Chartreuse Be 8
Steelhead Hammer Blue, Pink 6
Vitso's Psycho Spawn Pink, Chartreuse 12, 14
Hoh Bo Spey Blue/Chartreuse 2
Hoh Bo Spey Pink/Orange 2

Bead Head Flash Zonker

When fishing for bass, this pattern fills the need for an all-purpose big fish fly.

2.99

Item #930E

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Orvis Westlake's Recommended Gear

Description: About Vermilion River

The Vermilion River our best Tributary in western Ohio, winds its way through urban areas, rural lanscapes, valleys, and gorges on the way to Lake Erie. The " V" gets excellent returns of Spring run of Steelhead and Smallmouth Due to the management efforts of the Ohio Division of Wildlife the Vermilion River has become a solid spring steelhead fishery. The Vermilion River is also classified as one of Ohio's Wild and Scenic Rivers. This river fishes best with flows between 100-250 cfs.

Nearest Airport:

Cleveland Airport, Detriot Metro

Hatches:

This fishery is based on subsurface activity, and there are no key hatches of note. Baitfish and sculpin patterns are the primary forage to imitate on this river. Crayfish imitations always fish well. Stoneflies, woolly buggers, and egg patterns are great when nymphing.

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon/evening

Best Stretch:

Lower to middle river access points

Best Access:

Metro Parks