Fishing Season: Summer

Vermilion River - OH

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

77

Orvis Westlake's Tip of the Week

You will find smallmouth close to cover this time of year. That means targeting deep water, log jams, and rock shelves with minnow type patterns. Utilizing a sink tip can be helpful for getting down deep in the larger pools.

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Map of Vermilion River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 8/11/25

River levels are very low giving the potential for sight fishing opportunities.

Techniques & Tips as of 8/11/25

Swing and strip streamers for smallmouth bass close to cover and in deep pools. Olive, White, and Chartreuse are great colors. Don’t forget about carp too, they are a blast to catch on a fly rod! Drag and drop crayfish or wooly bugger style flies in front of actively feeding fish for best results.

Local Species Available Summer

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    Smallmouth

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    Carp

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
Cone Head Muddler Minnow Pink, Orange 10, 12
Mini Shimmer Bugger Black/Orange Bead 8
Mini Shimmer Bugger Purple/Chartreuse Be 8
Clouser Minnow Olive, white, black, chart. 2
Hawkins' Hat Trick Black, white, olive 6
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:

early morning /evening

Best Stretch:

Lower to middle river access points

Best Access:

Metro Parks