Isabella Lake Fishing guide

The 2016 standard survey was conducted to monitor abundance and size structure of the fish populations in Isabella Lake. The survey also sought to determine the status of Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass populations in the lake, which were first found in 2006.

The Walleye catch was above average relative to similar lakes in the Northeastern Minnesota with a total of 87 fish sampled in gill nets. The average length of Walleye was 11.6 inches with an average weight of 0.7 pounds. Even with the high number of Walleye sampled, only 5% of the catch was over 15 inches long. The largest Walleye sampled was 21.2 inches long and weighed 2.8 pounds. Eight year classes were represented in the 2016 survey indicating consistent recruitment to the population. Walleye growth was slow for the Finland Area.

The 2016 Northern Pike catch was below average for lakes in the Finland Area with 19 fish sampled. The average weight of the Northern Pike sampled was 5.2 pounds and average length was 27.1 inches. Of the 19 Northern Pike sampled, five were over 35 inches long. The largest Northern Pike caught was 39.4 inches long and weighed 14.6 pounds. Nine year classes were present in the sample and growth of Northern Pike appears to be fast for the Finland Area.

Black Crappie were sampled at average numbers for lakes with similar characteristics in the Finland Area with a total of 14 fish caught. Black Crappie ranged from 4.4 to 11.9 inches, with approximately 40 % of the catch over 10 inches. The average weight was just under 0.5 pounds. Black Crappie lakes in the Finland Area tend to have small populations with fast growing fish that may have an occasional strong year class. The spawning habitat in Isabella Lake appears to be good for Black Crappie, but the cool climate of northeastern Minnesota may be a limiting factor in successful reproduction for years with a late spring or cool summer.

The Yellow Perch gill net catch was near average for similar lakes in the Northeastern Minnesota. The average weight of Yellow Perch was 0.26 pounds with an average length of 8.3 inches. The largest Yellow Perch caught was 11.8 inches long and weighed 0.8 pounds. Yellow Perch over 9 inches long made up 34% of the total catch. Growth was average for the Finland Area with seven year class present.

The 2016 survey sampled seven Largemouth Bass with the largest being 6.9 inches long. This was the second survey that sampled Largemouth Bass in Isabella Lake. Largemouth Bass are difficult to sample with standard survey gill nets and the full scope of the bass population is not known.

A total of 72 Lake Whitefish were caught with gill nets, which was about average for comparable lakes in Northeastern Minnesota. The average length of Lake Whitefish was 11.1 inches with an average weight of 0.6 pounds. The largest whitefish caught was 17.3 inches and 2.0 pounds. Nine year classes were represented in the survey and growth of Lake Whitefish appeared to be average for the area.

White Sucker were sampled at average numbers when compared to similar lakes. The average length of White Sucker was 15.1 inches and just over 1.6 pounds in weight. The 2016 survey caught 19 Rock Bass with an average length of 7.2 inches and 0.3 pounds.

Other fish sampled included Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Blacknose Shiner, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom, Bluegill, and young of the year sunfish. This was the first time Bluegill had been sampled in Isabella Lake.

Isabella Lake is a good Walleye lake that can produce numerous "eater size" Walleyes. The lake can also produce some trophy size Northern Pike. The Black Crappie population is still being established, but currently there are nice fish to be caught if anglers are able to locate them. The Lake Whitefish population is healthy and the lake is open to whitefish sport gill netting in the fall; a whitefish netting license is required. The netting season usually has a small number of individuals who participate. Angling pressure on the lake is presumed to be moderate to high and all anglers and visitors to Isabella Lake must abide by the BWCAW regulations at all times; the lake is entirely non-motorized.