Fishing Season: Spring into Summer

Vermilion River - OH

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Temperature 38°

Temp:

38°

Water Temp:

54

Orvis Westlake's Tip of the Week

The spring Steelhead run is all but over but the Smallies are in and have been doing a great job helping us forget about too early end of Steelie fishing. Look for fish to be ready to play and in any area of depth.

Directions open in app

Map of Vermilion River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 4/23/24

The river is in good shape. The Smallie fishing has been great and should continue to be so.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/23/24

Early morning top water poppers then transitioning to bait fish patterns like clousers and slider buggers should get good results. As late spring and early summer sets in and the water warms bouncing crayfish patterns off the bottom is always enticing to a hungry Bass or panfish.

Local Species Available Spring into 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
Chain-Reaction Leech orange, pink chartre 8
Conehead Bunny Muddler Black, Olive, White, 4, 6, 8
Trash Can Streamer Black, Olive 2
Princess Nymph Pink 10, 12, 14
Hoh Bo Spey Pink, Purple 2
Clouser Minnow White/Olive, White/Gray 6
Tungsten Nemec Stone Nymph Brown Yellow, Black 4,6,8
AI Intruder Rainbow 2
Foxee Dog Popsicle, Blue 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:

morning/evening

Best Stretch:

Lower to middle river access points

Best Access:

Metro Parks