Minnesota · Cass County
Island Lake Fishing guide
Island Lake sits in Cass County, Minnesota, and covers 358 acres, reaching 45 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 9.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 6 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeJust a few3.3per gill net18"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 23 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 23 fish
2022Lengths measured · 51 fish
2014Lengths measured · 40 fish
2004Lengths measured · 72 fish
1997BluegillJust a few8.2per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 116 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 116 fish
2022Lengths measured · 72 fish
2014Lengths measured · 105 fish
2004Lengths measured · 188 fish
1997CrappieJust a few2per trap net8"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 34 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 34 fish
2022Lengths measured · 20 fish
2014Lengths measured · 42 fish
2004Lengths measured · 22 fish
1997No recent survey rating.
Rock bassGood numbers1.5per gill net9"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 10 fish
2022Lengths measured · 21 fish
2014Lengths measured · 18 fish
2004Lengths measured · 13 fish
1997Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Island Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 45 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 45 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24" | 16" | 34" |
| 2014 | 22" | 15" | 29" |
| 2004 | 27" | 17" | 29" |
| 1997 | 27" | 19" | 28" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 29,670 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 29,700 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 30,475 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 29,920 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 29,700 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
Island Lake is a 358-acre lake with 5.8 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 45 feet located southeast of Longville, MN. A county owned public access is located on the west shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Island Lake is in Lake Class 23; lakes in this class are generally deep and clear. Other area lakes in this class include Jack, Ponto, Stony, and Baby Lake. The lake is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Walleye.
Island Lake provides multi-species angling opportunity and a game fish community dominated by sunfish and Northern Pike. Though Northern Pike abundance was below the management goal, size goals were met in 2022 highlighting quality size structure. Sampled pike ranged in length from 10 to 34 inches. Black Crappie abundance and size exceeded management goals and ranged in length from 4 to 13 inches. Largemouth Bass averaged 12 inches long and abundance was low. Sampled Bluegill exceeded size goals with fish measuring up to 9.5 inches and most exceeding 6 inches in length. Walleye abundance in Island is low and lengths ranged from 13 to 24 inches long.
Read the full DNR narrative
Other fish species that anglers can expect to encounter include Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, and Yellow Bullhead.
People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Island Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Island Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Island Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Island Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Island Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Mitten Lake · 113 ac · 1 mi
- Little Bass Lake · 136 ac · 2.6 mi
- George Lake · 613 ac · 3.3 mi
- Upper Trelipe Lake · 421 ac · 3.3 mi
- Thunder Lake · 1,347 ac · 3.7 mi
- Bass Lake · 195 ac · 4.2 mi
- Lower Trelipe Lake · 618 ac · 4.4 mi
- Washburn Lake · 1,590 ac · 4.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Island Lake?
Island Lake reaches 45 ft at its deepest point; about 17% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Island Lake?
Island Lake covers 358 acres with about 5.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Island Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Island Lake average 9.8 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Island Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Island Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Island Lake have a public access?
Yes. Island Lake has one public access site: Island Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Island Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 24"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1997.
When was Island Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Island Lake in 2022, the most recent of 6 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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