Minnesota · Itasca County
Island Lake Fishing guide
Island Lake sits in Itasca County, Minnesota, and covers 3,108 acres, reaching 35 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 11.2 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 24 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025One of the best around13.9per gill net12"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 201 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 48 fish
2024Lengths measured · 194 fish
2021Lengths measured · 7 fish
2021Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 287 fish
2017Smallmouth bassOne of the best around63.2per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 14 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 11 fish
2021Lengths measured · 3 fish
2021Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2013Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 9 fish
2010Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeFair numbers6.8per gill net27"Typical37"Biggest
Lengths measured · 100 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 95 fish
2021Lengths measured · 5 fish
2021Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 161 fish
2013Lengths measured · 100 fish
2010BluegillJust a few3.4per trap net4"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 55 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 4 fish
2021Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 51 fish
2021Lengths measured · 5 fish
2010Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 74 fish
2006Yellow perchElite fishery67.9per gill net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1142 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 950 fish
2021Lengths measured · 192 fish
2021Lengths measured · 1876 fish
2013Lengths measured · 675 fish
2010Rock bassOne of the best around25.7per hr (electrofishing)7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 59 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 51 fish
2021Lengths measured · 8 fish
2021Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 28 fish
2013Lengths measured · 28 fish
2010Rates 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. At 11.2 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Smallmouth bass
- Spring
- Smallmouth are on shallow rock, gravel and sand where they spawn. At 11.2 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Smallmouth are post-spawn on rock points, gravel bars and the adjacent breaks.
- Summer
- Smallmouth are on rock humps, points and hard-bottom breaks.
- Fall
- Smallmouth are bunched tight on deep rock, so find one and you have found the school.
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 | Smallmouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13" | — | — |
| 2021 | 25" | 17" | 37" |
| 2017 | 12" | — | — |
| 2015 | 10" | — | — |
| 2014 | 9" | — | — |
| 2013 | 26" | 15" | 32" |
| 2011 | 10" | — | — |
| 2010 | 23" | 19" | 31" |
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
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
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 | 717,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 717,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 717,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 900,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 900,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 900,000 fry |
| 2018 | Black Crappie | 625 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 900,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 990,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 900,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Island Lake is a class 27 lake located about five miles south of Northome, MN. Walleye are a primary management species and has received extensive Walleye stocking since 1943. In 2005, a 17 to 26 inch protected slot length limit was established. Walleye fry have been stocked annually since 2013 except for 2020, due to safety policies pertaining to COVID-19. Island Lake was stocked with 717,000 Walleye fry in 2024 (600/littoral acre).
Numerous fall young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleye electrofishing surveys have been conducted since 1997 that evaluated various stocking strategies, including no stocking so natural reproduction could be evaluated. Fall electrofishing catches have ranged from 0 to 593 YOY/h with lowesr catches associated with years of no stocking. As a result, the 2022 lake management plan recommended annual low-density fry stocking to ensure fish were in the lake when conditions were favorable to produce a good year-class.
Read the full DNR narrative
The 2024 survey had surface water temperatures near 70 F. Wave action resulted in moderate to poor visibility; however, catchability was not impacted by conditions. A total of 45 YOY Walleye were sampled for a catch rate of 29/hr on-time. Sampled fish ranged from 4.8 to 6.7 inches and averaged 5.5 inches. Three additional yearling or older Walleye were captured during electrofishing. These fish ranged from 8.0 to 13.1 inches.
Sampling results suggest poor Walleye recruitment for Island Lake in 2024 and is likely attributed to the long, drawn-out, cool spring. These conditions are often associated with poor recruitment for natural and stocked Walleye fry alike. Less than average catches and growth was also observed on Lake Winnibigoshish and Jessie Lake during the fall of 2024.
Anglers should note that reproduction and recruitment are variable in Walleye populations, and spring conditions (timing and water temperature fluctuations) can be an important factor in that variability. Fall electrofishing can be an effective tool to document Walleye reproduction and/or survival to their first fall when conducted as part of a long-term evaluation, but individual electrofishing events are often a poor indicator of year-class strength or future angling success.
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
- Moose Lake · 412 ac · 3.8 mi
- Cameron Lake · 94 ac · 3.8 mi
- Teufer Lake · 39 ac · 4.1 mi
- Shallow Pond · 225 ac · 4.6 mi
- Bartlett Lake · 304 ac · 4.6 mi
- Pine Lake · 8 ac · 8.2 mi
- Dora Lake · 423 ac · 10.3 mi
- Dunbar Lake · 268 ac · 11.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Island Lake?
Island Lake reaches 35 ft at its deepest point; about 38% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Island Lake?
Island Lake covers 3,108 acres with about 14.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Island Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Island Lake average 11.2 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Island Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) 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 2016.
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 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2010.
When was Island Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Island Lake in 2024, the most recent of 24 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for Island Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Island Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report