Fishing Season: Summer

Vermilion River - OH

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

68

Orvis Westlake's Tip of the Week

Cover water and change flies often until you establish a pattern that's working. Look for changes in depth and bottom structure to find holding fish ready to ambush your fly.

Directions open in app

Map of Vermilion River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 9/9/24

Water levels on the Vermilion are back down to low summer levels. We have rain projected for the coming weekend.

Techniques & Tips as of 9/9/24

Early morning top water poppers then transitioning to bait fish patterns like Clousers and Game Changers should get good results. Bouncing crayfish patterns off the bottom is always enticing to a hungry Bass or Carp

Local Species Available Summer

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    Smallmouth

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    Carp

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    Panfish

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, Black, olive 8,10,12
May's Full Motion Crayfish orange 6
Conehead Bunny Muddler Black, Olive, White, 4, 6, 8
Hawkins' Hat Trick Black, Olive 2
Clouser Minnow White/Olive, White/Gray 2
Tungsten Nemec Stone Nymph Brown Yellow, Black 4,6,8

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:

morning/evening

Best Stretch:

Lower to middle river access points

Best Access:

Metro Parks