Vermilion
Lake Erie · Ohio
Fishing conditions near Vermilion on Lake Erie, including water temperature and currents by depth, wave conditions, and wind.
Current readings
Water
- Surface water temperature
- 19.07 C
- Surface current speed
- 0.16 kph
- Surface current direction
- Toward E
Waves
- Wave height
- 0.27 m
- Wave period
- 3.88 s
- Wave direction
- From NE
Wind
- Wind speed
- 15.03 kph
- Wind gust
- 14.79 kph
- Wind direction
- From WNW
Surface currents near Vermilion
Water-column current profile
Show current speed and direction table
| Depth | Speed | Direction toward |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 m | 0.04 m/s | E |
| 1.0 m | 0.03 m/s | E |
| 2.0 m | 0.03 m/s | ENE |
| 4.0 m | 0.03 m/s | ENE |
| 6.0 m | 0.03 m/s | NE |
| 8.0 m | 0.03 m/s | NE |
| 10.0 m | 0.03 m/s | NE |
Water-column temperature profile
Show temperature table
| Depth | Temperature |
|---|---|
| 0.0 m | 19.071029663085938 °C |
| 1.0 m | 19.076690673828125 °C |
| 2.0 m | 19.079978942871094 °C |
| 4.0 m | 19.08226776123047 °C |
| 6.0 m | 19.083295822143555 °C |
| 8.0 m | 19.083816528320312 °C |
| 10.0 m | 19.083595275878906 °C |
“No clear thermocline” means temperatures are similar through the sampled depths, with no sharp temperature boundary identified.
Lake Erie central basin fishing overview
Vermilion is a fishing location in Lake Erie's central basin. Species to consider in this basin include smallmouth bass, walleye, and steelhead.
In general, anglers start shallow in early spring and move deeper as the season progresses and the water warms.
Lake Erie trolling: temperature, thermocline, and currents
The thermocline is the layer where water temperature drops quickly with depth. It separates warmer surface water from colder water below. On a temperature profile, look for the section where the temperature changes most sharply.
Lake Erie’s three basins behave differently. The shallow western basin mixes readily, so its summer temperature layers are often less persistent. The central and eastern basins develop stronger thermoclines. For walleye, the top of the thermocline is a useful starting point; lake trout may use colder water below it, while steelhead can follow suspended bait around the temperature break.
In the central basin, low oxygen can restrict usable water below the thermocline later in summer. The thermocline is a temperature boundary, and the temperature profile does not measure oxygen.
| Species | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Walleye | 68–74°F / 20–23°C |
| Steelhead | 55–65°F / 13–18°C |
| Lake trout | 42–52°F / 6–11°C |
These are starting ranges rather than strict limits. Fish can move into warmer or colder water to feed. Use the profile to choose initial depths, then let bait, sonar marks, and bites refine your spread.
Check currents at lure depth. GPS measures speed over ground, which can differ from lure speed through the water. Sustained wind can also raise or deepen the thermocline, so reassess your trolling depths after conditions change.
Common lures and trolling methods
Leadcore line helps carry lures down through the water column, while planer boards spread lines away from the boat. Together, they let you cover different depths and a wider area.
Common presentations include worm harnesses, spoons, and body baits. Match your starting depth to bait and fish marks, then adjust line length, trolling speed, and lure choice as a pattern develops.
Lake conditions from NOAA data
All data on this page comes straight from NOAA and refreshes four times a day. Learn more on our About page.