Island Lake

How big is Island Lake?

How deep is Island Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Island Lake?

Are there boat launches on Island Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Island Lake?

Island Lake is a 227 acre lake located 14 miles south of Hibbing, MN in the St. Louis River watershed. Island Lake has clear, moderately hard water with low phosphorus fertility. The variety of substrate types and aquatic vegetation provides good habitat for Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass and panfish. While most of the shoreline is in private ownership, the island was acquired by the DNR as an Aquatic Management Area that allows public use for picnicking, hiking and other day uses. A standard lake survey was conducted in August 2015 to update information on the fish population and evaluate walleye fingerling stocking.

Northern Pike numbers were within the expected range and similar to the long-term average for the lake. Size structure was moderate; sampled pike averaged 21.0 inches and 2.2 pounds, although one pike over 36 inches was captured. Age 3-4 pike made up the majority of the sample, with only one fish exceeding age 5. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 24.0 inches at age 5. The general lack of fish over 24 inches and five years of age may be a result of harvest by anglers. Anglers can help improve the quality of the Northern Pike population by practicing selective harvest of fish under 22 inches, while releasing medium to large fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain a more balanced fish community and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more large fish in the future.

The spring night electrofishing assessment showed a moderately abundant Largemouth Bass population. Size structure was modest; sampled bass averaged 12.8 inches and 1.2 pounds. Age analysis suggested consistent recruitment with many year classes represented. Growth was relatively slow with Largemouth Bass averaging 12.8 inches at age 6.

Black Crappie were the most common fish in the gill nets with numbers well above the expected range. Size structure was considered poor since a majority of the sample was age 1 to 3 fish measuring less than 8 inches. Angling opportunities for crappie should improve in the next few years as these young fish grow to more favorable sizes. Growth of Island Lake crappie is relatively slow with crappie averaging 9.6 inches at age 6.

Walleye numbers in Island Lake have generally been low, and fingerling stocking appears to contribute little to the fishery. Gill-nets sampled only one Walleye in 2015, despite fingerling stocking in two of the previous five years. Fingerling stocking will likely be discontinued, since lake conditions seem to favor other species such as Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass.

Other species sampled in test nets included Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Perch and Golden Shiner.

What is the average air temp for Island Lake?

Are there any state parks near Island Lake?