Resort Activities

Ludlow’s Island Bait and Tackle Shop

Ludlow’s Island Bait and Tackle Shop offers an expanded line of fishing and outdoor gear, equipment sales, and demo options for our guests. Michael, our head of guest services, shares his passion for Lake Vermilion fishing by offering educational clinics throughout the summer.

Guided Fishing Trips
Hit the lake with a world-class guide for a half day of fishing, or a full day with shore lunch. Visit the Lake Vermilion Guides League or contact Michael for more information or to reserve a fishing guide.

Fishing Licenses
So that you may start your vacation right away, we recommend purchasing your license online prior to your arrival. However, you may purchase a fishing license at the resort, in the main lodge building using your driver’s license and social security number.

2021 Fishing Regulations

Current Minnesota Fishing Regulations

Michael’s Lake Vermilion Fishing Tips
Best bets for walleye are in May, June, September, and October, but they can be caught all season long. (Michael’s best walleye day ever was last July!)

Fishing for northern pike is best in the spring and fall.

Bass can be found year-round in different parts of the lake.

Panfish move to the shallows when the water starts to warm in the spring, so fishing varies with the year and spring.

Muskie season opens in Minnesota on June 6 in 2020. The fishing is usually pretty good right away in June, but it gets really good in the fall.

If you’re interested in other species, or if you’d like additional tips and advice, Michael is happy to help!

Fishing for Kids
Kids have lots of luck fishing right off our docks, and cane poles are free for their use. Fish caught off the docks are released so there are always plenty to catch. Kids under 16 years old do not need a fishing license.

Fishing Boats
We have a variety of fishing boat set-ups available for rental by the day or week. We recommend reserving your boat in advance of your stay. Call or email us for boat reservations. 218-666-5407

See the following section for information on fishing boats

Ludlow’s offers our guests a wide range of boats, available for daily and weekly rental. Our expanded rental fleet includes several models of pontoons and deck-boat, a range of fishing boats and setups, and high-end fish and ski combos.

17’ Ranger

• 115hp four-stroke motor
• Depth finder / fish finder / GPS combo
• Trolling motor, live well
• Seats 6
• $1,250 per week / $250 per day

16’ Mirrocraft Fisherman

• 20 hp, four-stroke motor with electric start
• Driver’s swivel seat and flat bottom vinyl floors
• Live well
• Seats 3
• $400 per week / $125 per day

21’ Crest Pro Angler

• 115 hp, four-stroke outboard
• Four fishing seats, live well, GPS,  and fish locator
• The Pro Angler has a layout and features for fishing
• Seats 8
• $1000 per week / $250 per day

23’ Crest Tri-toon

• 150 hp, four-stroke outboard
• Triple pontoon layout, for great handling and tubing
• Great for touring in utmost comfort or tubing with the kids
• Full bimini top
• Seats 10
• $1,250 per week / $250 per day

Hurricane Deck Boats
Deck boats perform like ski boats with the seating layout and comfort of a pontoon. Great for cruising the lake and fishing  and plenty of power for water sports.

19’ Hurricane

• 150 hp outboard
• Live well
• GPS and fish finder
• Bimini top and ski pylon
• Great for fishing or tubing
• Seats 8
• $1,250 per week / $250 per day

23’ Hurricane

• 150 hp outboard
• GPS, livewell and fish finder
• Bimini top and ski pylon
• Great for fishing and tubing
• Seats 10
• $1,250 per week / $250 per day

Sea-Doo Spark Jet Ski

• Weekly Rate: $1,200 or pair for $2,200
• Daily Rate (11am – 7pm): $225 or pair for $400
• Half Day Rate (11am -3pm or 3-7pm): $175 or pair for $300

You’re welcome to bring your personal boat to Ludlow’s. We’ll launch and pull it for you, provide covered dockage, and store your trailer throughout your stay. For these services, a one-time fee of $60 will be applied to your final bill.

Please let us know prior to your arrival that you will be bringing your personal boat, so that we can reserve a covered slip for you.

Each off-island cabin has its own covered dockage. For guests staying in island cabins, boats are docked in our central boathouse on the south side of the island, as can be seen in the map below.

Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
With the spread of harmful invasive species to lakes in the area, we at Ludlow’s are doing our best to protect the waters of Lake Vermilion. Please help us in this mission by reading and following these directions.

• Remove any visible plants and animals from your boat, trailer, and other boating equipment before leaving any water body.
• Drain water from the motor, live-well, bilge and transom wells at the ramp or access before leaving any water body.
• Dispose of unwanted minnows and leeches on shore. Never release live bait into a water body, or release aquatic animals from one water body into another.
• At the boat launch, wash and dry your boat and other boating equipment to kill exotic animal species that are not visible. Before transporting to another water, do one of the following:
• Rinse with hot tap water
• Spray with high-pressure water such as at a carwash
• Dry for at least 5 days

By following these simple steps we can help keep Lake Vermilion beautiful for years to come. Thank you for your cooperation.