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 a 163-acre lake located in Lyon County 12 miles southwest of the City of Marshall. This is a unique lake given its location within the watershed. Unlike many of the other lakes in our Windom Fish Management Area, Island Lake is nearly isolated with very little connectivity. Historical photos for the last 30+ years has indicated significant water level changes over that period. Island Lake is relatively shallow (maximum depth 8.0 ft.) thus the primary management species is Northern Pike, and the secondary management species is Yellow Perch. A survey was conducted the week of July 17, 2023, to monitor fish populations using one gill net and eight trap nets.

Historically, Northern Pike catch rates have ranged from 0.0 per trap net in 1988 and 1999 to 4.1 per trap net in 2017. In 2023 the Northern Pike catch rate was 2.5 per trap net, which is slightly above the long-term average of 2.2 per trap net. The gill net catch rate of Northern Pike was 3.0 per gill net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.1 to 8.0 per gill net). Northern Pike fingerlings were stocked in 2016 and 2022, in addition, Island Lake has favorable habitat for Northern Pike reproduction. Lengths of Northern Pike ranged from 23.3 to 33.1 inches and averaged 28.4 inches. Island Lake is within the "southern zone" of the Northern Pike zone regulations, so two Pike longer than 24 inches can be harvested. Northern Pike under 24 inches must be released.

Yellow Perch catch rates have been highly variable in Island Lake, ranging from 8.5 per gill net in 1988 to 444.0 per gill net in 2011, and averaging 118.6 per gill net since 1988. In 2023 the Yellow Perch catch rate was 35.0 per gill net, similar to the 2017 catch rate of 37.5 per gill net. The catch rate in 2023 exceeded the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.7 to 25.0 per gill net). Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 4.7 to 6.6 inches and averaged 5.6 inches (PSD=68). The Yellow Perch need to grow a bit before most anglers would target them.

The Black Bullhead catch rate was 70.0 per gill net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (30.3 to 150.6 per gill net). Lengths of Black Bullhead ranged from 4.3 to 14.6 inches and averaged 7.0 inches. Brown Bullhead were also abundant being captured at a rate of 86.0 per gill net, greater than the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (0.5 to 5.6 per gill net). Brown Bullhead lengths ranged from 4.7 to 15.3 inches and average 9.1 inches. The fish community in Island Lake is simple, as the only other species of fish sampled was one 22.6 inch Walleye. It is highly likely that an angler moved that Walleye in from another lake as DNR has not stocked Walleye.

Are there any state parks near Island Lake?