Fishing, Charters & Bait Stores

Fishing in Vermilion can be as simple as spending a few hours casting off the beach or dropping a line from a dock to hook white bass or sunfish or hopping on a head boat for a day of perch fishing or arranging for a private charter to snag walleye.


Fishing from Shore

Hearing "fish on" is fun and exciting for every fisherman, novice or experienced. Vermilion has some easily accessible public places to try your luck. Walk out on the stone pier off Main Street Beach or at the grassy area adjacent to the Public Boat Ramp to snag catfish, blue gill, sunfish, white bass and the occasional perch. Ritter Public Library has children's lifejackets and fish poles for public use. And don't forget that each spring the Ohio Department of Natural Resources comes to Vermilion for the annual Steelhead Trout Stocking, a community event that is fun to watch from the banks of the Vermilion River.  


Fishing License

Complete information about buying a fishing license including purchasing one online is available through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources


Fishing Charters

Lake Erie fishing charters, both private and head boats, are available out of Vermilion during peak fishing seasons. Browse and arrange charters through:

Fishing Booker | Lake Erie Charter Boat Association

View the current and short term forecasts for Vermilion & surrounding areas.

View the latest fishing report for Vermilion & surrounding areas.


Central Basin Bait & Tackle

5312 Liberty Avenue, Vermilion, OH 44089 | Contact: 440.967.6466


Bad Boy Tackle & Archery

4414 Liberty Avenue, Vermilion, OH 44089 | Contact: 440 967 2033 


Fishing Pier Wholesale & Fish Cleaning

3433 Liberty Avenue, Vermilion, OH 44089 | Contact: 440.967.7437


Hot Waters Fish Cleaning

4294 Liberty Avenue, Vermilion, OH 44089 . | . Contact 440.787.3251

Need a fishing license?