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?

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Are there places to eat and drink near Island Lake?

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Island Lake is a 611-acre lake located in northeastern Mahnomen County approximately 4 miles south of Lengby, MN. Island is a fertile, eutrophic lake that often experiences heavy blue-green algal blooms and has experienced a winterkill in the past. However, no severe winterkills have been documented during the past three decades. In the original lake survey, bullheads and yellow perch dominated the net catches, with some northern pike and white suckers also present. This indicates that heavy winterkill had occurred sometime prior to the 1953 study. Walleye, bluegill, black crappie, and largemouth bass have since been reintroduced and are currently a large part of the fishery in Island Lake. In 2005, test net catches for northern pike, walleye, black crappie, and largemouth bass were similar to the lakes historical average catches. Pike as large as 37 inches were sampled, but the average length was 24 inches. Walleyes averaged 15 inches in length and lengths ranged from 6.7 to 25.7 inches. Bluegills and black crappies sampled in test nets were small with average lengths of 5.1 and 6.1 inches, respectively. No bluegills over 7.5 inches and no crappies over 9.0 inches were caught. Bluegill trap net catches increased in 2005 and growth rates declined. It is likely that fish of these species are being harvested as fast as they reach "keeper" sizes. Walleyes have been routinely stocked in Island Lake since the 1960s, and have been the only species stocked since 1990. Walleye spawning habitat is extremely limited in Island Lake and the fishery is sustained by regular fingerling stocking. Stocking rates of walleyes were doubled in 2000 because there was a good forage base of yellow perch and it was believed the fishery in this lake might benefit from increased stocking. Test net catches increased slightly from 2000 to 2005. However, catches of the primary forage (yellow perch) declined to historic lows over the same period. Although there are still relatively good numbers of yellow perch, walleye growth rates appear to have declined over the past five years. Perch numbers and walleye growth will require close monitoring to ensure that the forage population does not decline to unacceptable levels with the increased walleye stocking. Black bullheads were extremely abundant in the 1953 initial survey at 120 per trap net, but declined substantially by 1971 to 0.9 per net. Commercial fishermen harvested large numbers of bullheads in the 1960s, which probably initiated the decline. Net catches of black and brown bullheads have consistently remained low since 1971. The increase in abundance of other fish species has likely held bullhead numbers in check. In lakes with marginal water quality like Island, shoreline development, habitat destruction like loss of bulrush, and increasing fishing pressure will likely be the principal factors affecting the fish community. There are presently 188 homes or cabins on Island Lake. Nutrient input from increased runoff threatens the fish community by increasing the likelihood of winterkill. It also impacts other recreational activities like swimming by promoting severe summer algae blooms. For these reasons, it is very important that lakeshore owners use "best shoreland management practices" to minimize nutrient input. These practices include leaving or establishing buffer strips of natural vegetation along the shores, leaving aquatic vegetation stands intact, not fertilizing lawns or using phosphorus free fertilizers, and ensuring compliance of septic systems. The DNR document "Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality" has advice for riparian owners interested in restoring and maintaining natural shorelines and protecting water quality.

What is the average air temp for Island Lake?