Three Island

Three Island Lake is a 729-acre lake located 14 miles northeast of Bemidji in Beltrami County. Three Island is a large, shallow lake basin with lots of aquatic vegetation. The maximum depth is 25 feet; however, much of the lake is less than 9 feet deep. Ice travel is limited during winter months by areas of current that can cause unsafe ice conditions. The is a DNR public water access with an earthen ramp and parking for 6 trucks/trailers located in Three Island County Park off of County Road 23. Special regulations are in effect for sunfish (daily limit of 5 fish). The Northern Pike special regulation in effect since 2003 was under review in 2022 so be sure to check on the current regulation before keeping any pike. Statewide regulations apply to all other species. Three Island Lake may be overlooked by some anglers but does provide some notable fishing opportunities for the Bemidji Area. Three Island has excellent habitat for Bluegill, Black Crappie, Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass. Extensive weed lines and emergent vegetation like cattail, bulrush and lily pads provide plenty of fishing opportunities for these species. Anglers can expect to catch good numbers of Bluegill in the 8-inch size range with bigger fish in the mix as well. Black Crappie catch rates from surveys of Three Island Lake have always been low; however, the lake has been a consistent producer of Black Crappie over time. Although Largemouth Bass were not targeted in the 2021 survey, a quality population is known to exist in Three Island Lake. Fishing opportunities for topwater bass anglers abound. Walleye are present in Three Island Lake although not in the numbers found in many of the area's more consistent Walleye lakes. Walleye captured in the 2021 survey had a good average size of nearly 18 inches and nearly 2 lbs/fish. Northern Pike were abundant in the 2021 survey with fish up to nearly 33 inches in length captured. Pike can provide plenty of fishing action on days when other species refuse to cooperate. Other species of fish captured in this survey were Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bowfin, hybrid sunfish, bullhead species, Tullibee (Cisco), Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker and Yellow Perch.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Three Island Lake was conducted on August 18-19, 2021, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 14 sampling stations, but seven stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample five stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample three stations, and site conditions prevented the use of a seine at six stations. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Northern Sunfish, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and none that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 2021 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Three Island Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River-Headwaters Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Three Island Lake is a 729-acre lake with a maximum depth of 25 feet located 14 miles northeast of Bemidji in Beltrami County. There is a DNR public water access with an earthen ramp and parking for about 6 trucks/trailers located in Three Island County Park off of County Road 23. Three Island Lake is managed for Northern Pike, Walleye, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. A special regulation for Northern Pike consisting of a protected slot limit from 24 to 36 inches with one fish allowed over 36 inches in the daily possession limit of 3 fish is in effect. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota lakes based on similarities in lake basin (depth, size) and water chemistry (alkalinity, water clarity). Three Island Lake is in lake class 39. The following discussion makes comparisons between Movil Lake and other class 25 lakes in the state. Other Bemidji area lakes in this class include Lake Irving and Lake Minerva. The 2016 Northern Pike catch rate of 6.25/GN was within the normal range found in similar lakes (4.63/gill net - 11.63/gill net). Northern Pike captured had an average size of 21.90 inches in length and 2.42 lbs/fish. The largest Northern Pike captured in the 2016 assessment was 33.03 inches in length. The Walleye catch rate was 2.75/gill net. Walleye captured had an average size of 16.25 inches in length and 1.34 lbs/fish. No direct Walleye stocking occurs in Three Island Lake. The population is likely maintained by a combination of natural reproduction, downstream migration of stocked fish from basins above and upstream spawning migrations since the outlet dam was modified to allow fish passage. The largest Walleye captured in the 2016 assessment measured 19.96 inches in length. The Bluegill catch rate of 8.92/trap net was above the median catch rate for similar lakes (7.11/trap net). The average size was 7.16 inches in length and 0.33 lbs/fish. A good proportion of the catch exceeded 8 inches in length, providing a quality bluegill fishery. The Black Crappie catch rate was 0.75/trap net. The average size was 9.83 inches and 0.59 lbs/fish. The Largemouth Bass population was evaluated in early June by means of night electrofishing. In a little over 90 minutes, 13 bass were captured, measured, and released. Lengths ranged from 6.8 to 19.5 inches with an average of 13.5 inches. Thick vegetation made electrofishing in prime areas difficult but the presence of a few large fish in the survey indicates a quality bass population is present. Other species of fish captured in the 2016 assessment were Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), Yellow Perch, White Sucker, and Bullhead species.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass in Three Island. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Three Island. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Three Island has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Three Island is from 2021.

Yes — Three Island has confirmed starry stonewort. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.