With the fourth of July holiday just around the corner and the camping season well underway, the new loop in the east campground at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area will be open for camping on Friday, June 23. Reservations for the new campsites are being accepted for a June 30 or later arrival date. The east campground loop features 23 new electric campsites. I'm just glad to have them in operation before the busy holiday weekend coming up. The camping fee includes electricity and hot showers.
Flush toilets are available in the west unit of the park.
Future plans for the east unit's new loop also include a storm-proof comfort station. Missouri River Fisheries Administrator Jim Riis said the size limits are removed during July and August on lakes Sharpe and Francis Case for two primary reasons. Also, lakes Sharpe and Francis Case traditionally get good natural reproduction, allowing some harvest of smaller walleye during a period of the year when fishing pressure is not as high. This helps to keep the walleye population in balance with baitfish populations. However, during this period of the year, anglers are still encouraged to practice selective harvest.