East Vermilion Lake

East Vermilion Lake earns a D — measurements through 2024 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer.

At a TSI of 50, East Vermilion Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. At 76 ft of maximum depth, East Vermilion Lake stratifies reliably through the summer — the hypolimnion stays cooler and clearer than the surface layer suggests. At 39,272 acres, East Vermilion Lake is one of the larger lakes in St. Louis County, with 341.5 miles of shoreline supporting multiple distinct use patterns. Within the 187 graded lakes of St. Louis County, East Vermilion Lake sits at rank 156, near the bottom of the county list.

An invasive species record — spiny waterflea — has been logged at East Vermilion Lake; Minnesota PCA maintains the official infested-waters list. East Vermilion Lake's fishery is anchored by muskellunge, with 17 documented species in total — a destination water for muskie anglers. A documented public access point at East Vermilion Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The lake has a long ice-out record — 286 observations on file, with a median ice-out around Apr 30. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.