Island Lake

How big is Island Lake?

How deep is Island Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Island Lake?

What are the closest cities to Island Lake?

Are there boat launches on Island Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Island Lake?

Island Lake is located seven miles north of Park Rapids in Hubbard County. Island Lake has a surface area of 544 acres and a maximum depth of 65 feet. There is a state-owned public access located on the west end of the lake. Island Lake is a popular lake for Walleye and Northern Pike fishing early in the fishing season, and also provides fishing opportunities for panfish and Largemouth Bass.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Island Lake is in lake class 25. Class 25 lakes have hard water, good clarity, deep depth, and an irregular shaped shoreline. Other class 25 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include: Bad Axe, Belle Taine, Eagle, Little Mantrap, Little Sand, Mantrap, Ojibway, Spider, Straight, Third Crow Wing, Two Inlets, and West Crooked.

Gillnetting results show a Walleye population with good diversity of ages and sizes, however, Walleye abundance (3.0 Walleye/gillnet) was down slightly from recent surveys. Sampled Walleye had an average length and weight of 17.1 inches and 1.9 pounds, with fish measured up to 27.1 inches. Island Lake is stocked with Walleye fingerlings during odd numbered years. Island Lake supports a forage base of Yellow Perch and Tullibee (Cisco) for large predators such as Walleye and Northern Pike, however, abundance of both of these species were down in the 2015 survey. A few Yellow Perch are an acceptable size for angling.

Northern Pike were sampled in moderate numbers (4.2 pike/gill net), within the range typical for this lake class. Sampled Northern Pike had an average length and weight of 20.5 inches and 1.8 pounds, with pike measured up to 28.3 inches. The number of larger pike (>28 inches) was low compared to other area lakes.

Present and past surveys have shown that the panfish population in Island Lake fluctuates from low to moderate numbers. Anglers will find good numbers of Bluegill and Pumpkinseed in the 6-8 inch size range, and Black Crappie in the 9-11 inch size range.

While anglers can find good fishing for Largemouth Bass on Island Lake, overall bass abundance is low to moderate when compared to other area lakes.

Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Island Lake. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boats before leaving the access.

What is the average air temp for Island Lake?

Are there any state parks near Island Lake?