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16,926-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 130 ft. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1972, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
The outline encloses 17,000 acres, worked by 136.6 miles of shoreline, with 152 islands in the mix. With a shoreline index of 7.5, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. 24% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. End to end it runs roughly 14.4 mi, about 3.7 mi across. It sits in Kenora District. If the bite dies, Jackfish Lake is 2 mi to the northwest.
Early season lake trout use the shallows, holding in 10 to 40 ft. Expect a summer slide to 50 to 120 ft, then a winter hold in 20 to 80 ft. Put Deepest basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 121 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (35 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deepest basin (121 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Rock reef (6 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Break off the point (61 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Big Vermilion Lake carries 14 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 122 ft down.
Access data: Land Information Ontario — Fishing Access Point. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Ontario waters are set by the Ontario fishing regulations (FMZ summary) — and special regulations can apply to Big Vermilion Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Big Vermilion Lake is about 130 ft (40 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1972, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target lake trout on Big Vermilion Lake.
Deepest basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 121 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For lake trout, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Big Vermilion Lake is regulated by the Ontario fishing regulations (FMZ summary). Check the official Ontario regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Jackfish Lake 2 mi · Little Vermilion Lake 4 mi · Cedarbough Lake 4 mi · Boot Lake 6 mi · Misfit Lake 6 mi · Diene Lake 6 mi · Hamilton Lake 7 mi · Goodie Lake 7 mi · Butterfly Lake 7 mi · Hooch Lake 7 mi · Skorban L. 8 mi · Highway Lake 8 mi
See how Big Vermilion Lake stacks up: best lake trout lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Kenora District fishing maps (1173 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: state fisheries survey programs. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.