Lake trip · St. Louis County, Minnesota
Where to stay at West Vermilion Lake
West Vermilion Lake covers 39,272 acres in St. Louis County, with water clarity of about 8 ft. Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae; they are not a stay-or-skip rating. Open water runs roughly Apr 30 to Nov 28, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
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Places to stay near West Vermilion Lake
Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near West Vermilion Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.
Top-rated places to stay near West Vermilion Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
About the water
West Vermilion Lake has limited nutrient and algae sampling on record. Water clarity is about 8 ft of visibility. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim. The readings are not a reason to skip cabins and rentals around the lake.
Best time to visit
Open water runs roughly Apr 30 to Nov 28, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Check the National Weather Service forecast for West Vermilion Lake →
About West Vermilion Lake
Fish: black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, burbot, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, lake whitefish, largemouth bass.
Fishing & license
When to fish West Vermilion Lake — the seasonal windows by species, from state survey data.
Minnesota fishing license
Anglers under 16 are not required to have a license. Residents age 90+ also exempt. · The Minnesota walleye, northern pike, and bass season opens the Saturday two days before Mother's Day. Most other species are open year-round.
Prices as published by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2026.
Camping & RV near West Vermilion Lake
Base your trip at a nearby state park for tent and RV camping and trails, with West Vermilion Lake a short drive away — or search all public campgrounds and RV sites in the area on Recreation.gov.
- Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area · State Recreation Area10.9 mi
- Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park · State Park17.8 mi
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around West Vermilion Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota are on the map above with live availability and nightly prices. Waterfront rentals put you on the dock; lodging in the nearest town is usually cheaper with more choice. Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area is about 10.9 miles away for campground options.
West Vermilion Lake has limited nutrient and algae sampling on record. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim.
Open water runs roughly Apr 30 to Nov 28, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Explore West Vermilion Lake
Every Minnesota lake with its published measurements
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in St. Louis County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Lake Vermilion Area area
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Lake Superior Basin (MN+WI), ranked by water quality
Lakes in the Rainy Lake Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)
Free trip-planning guide for West Vermilion Lake: how to pick a clean lake, the water-quality signals that matter, best swimming and fishing windows, and where to stay.
Lodging availability and prices are provided by Stay22 and its booking partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia); LakeQuality may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Water-quality readings are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.