Fishing Season: Spring

Vermilion River - OH

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

55

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.

Directions open in app

Map of Vermilion River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 5/8/25

The river is dropping back to fishable conditions from the rain earlier in the week. Good numbers of smallmouth are being caught and a few steelhead are still present. Spring is here so make the most of it!

Techniques & Tips as of 5/8/25

Swing streamers for both Smallmouth and Steelhead. White is a great color. Moving and covering water will help you find fish.

Local Species Available Spring

  • Fish Icon

    Steelhead/ Smallmouth

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:

Afternoon/evening

Best Stretch:

Lower to middle river access points

Best Access:

Metro Parks