Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Island Lake Fishing guide
Island Lake covers 240 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 37 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 6.5 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2020, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets. That survey is 6 years old now.
DNR survey data
Fish species
BluegillJust a few6.6per trap net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 83 fish
Recent · 2020Lengths measured · 83 fish
2020Lengths measured · 87 fish
2010Lengths measured · 164 fish
2004Lengths measured · 114 fish
1999CrappieJust a few1.7per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 82 fish
Recent · 2020Lengths measured · 82 fish
2020Lengths measured · 32 fish
2010Lengths measured · 49 fish
2004Lengths measured · 57 fish
1999Rates 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. With 63% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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. With 63% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 27" | 15" | 36" |
| 2010 | 26" | 17" | 28" |
| 2004 | 19" | 16" | 35" |
| 1999 | 23" | 16" | 27" |
| 1994 | 21" | 18" | 33" |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Walleye | 3,150 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,185 yearlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 4,125 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2020 survey
Island Lake is a 240 acre lake located 3 miles southeast of Emily, in Crow Wing County. A small public access is located on the east side of the lake. The maximum depth is 37' with 63% of the lake 15' deep or less.
Walleyes are stocked as fingerlings once every three years (150 lbs). The gill net catch of 1.0/gill net was average compared to similar lakes. Average length was 21.8". The largest Walleye sampled was 27.4".
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike numbers are low, but some nice fish are present. Northern Pike had an average length of 25.1", with the largest sampled being 36.1". Northern Pike in the protected 22"-26" slot made up 67% of the catch. Lakes in this part of the state have a new Northern Pike regulation enacted in 2018: possession limit of 10 with not more than 2 over 26". All from 22"-26" must be immediately released. Please refer to the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations for additional information.
Black Crappies were sampled in high numbers in gill nets, and average numbers in trap nets when compared to similar lakes. Average length was 6.6" from gill net sampled fish, and 7.8" from trap nets. For both gears combined 23% measured at least 8.0" in length. Black Crappies in Island are slow growing compared to area lakes. Bluegills were sampled in low numbers in trap nets. Average length was 5.5", with 14% measuring at least 7.0" in length.
No invasive species have been discovered in Island Lake, but they are located in the area. Before and after launching, lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as remove the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.
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
- Rogers Lake · 240 ac · 1.5 mi
- Upper Dean Lake · 259 ac · 3.2 mi
- Ross Lake · 492 ac · 3.3 mi
- Emily Lake · 721 ac · 3.4 mi
- Mary Lake · 413 ac · 3.9 mi
- Twin Lake · 79 ac · 4.1 mi
- Trout Lake · 117 ac · 4.5 mi
- Lows Lake · 302 ac · 4.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Island Lake?
Island Lake reaches 37 ft at its deepest point; about 63% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Island Lake?
Island Lake covers 240 acres with about 5.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Island Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Island Lake average 6.5 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Island Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2020) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Island Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2023; 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 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Island Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Island Lake in 2020, the most recent of 9 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Page updated .
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