2015 Lake Vermilion Fishing Opener

With the 2015 fishing season opening today, at White Eagle we can’t help but wonder, what will the fishing be like this year? Joe Panichi, longtime fishing guide on Lake Vermilion was kind enough to share a few words with Anne Lantry about the beginning of the 2015 Lake Vermilion fishing season. Below are a few lines from the conversation they had.

Anne: How will the weather we’ve been having here in Northern Minnesota affect fishing this spring?
Joe: We’ve been having a typical spring, which means the ice is out earlier and the water has had a chance to warm up a little bit. I think most of the fish have spawned, maybe not the bass and panfish, and not the muskies, but the northerns and walleyes should be spawned out and in their traditional spots, somewhere close to the spawning grounds. I would look deep in 35-55 feet of water.

Anne: Are you joining in at the Lake Vermilion Governor’s Fishing Opener this weekend?
Joe: No, I was involved the last time the Governor was here. This year I’ll be out fishing with my family and grandkids. It’s a tradition.

Anne: How did you start guiding anyway?
Joe: A resort owner asked me if I would be interested in guiding.  At first I was reluctant, but after awhile I agreed, and the rest was history. 

Anne: How did you choose Lake Vermilion?
Joe: It kind of choose me I guess. I fished a lot of the lakes in the area but never Vermilion, and then one day, a friend of mine introduced me to the lake and I’ve been on Vermilion ever since.

Anne: So, what about the rest of the year? With the late ice outs these past few years, some of our regular guests haven’t found the fish in their usual spots on the west end. Do you think they might have a better chance this year?
Joe: It should help a great deal.

So there you have it. A few words from Joe Panichi, a Vermilion fishing guide since 1976. Learn more about him at www.panichiguideservice.com. Happy opener!