Sleepy Island

Cass County

Near Backus

DOW: 11045600

Northern PikeExcellent · 79BluegillGood · 69Yellow PerchGood · 52

A 15-acre lake near Backus in Cass County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1992.

Fish Species (4)

Northern Pike

Excellent · 79

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

4.04 lbs

Catch rate: 5.5 per gill net · typical 2.5–7.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 8, 1992	5.50	-	4.04 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 8, 1992	0.67	-	2.60 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 69

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 139.6 per trap net · typical 4.3–32.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 8, 1992	139.56	-	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 8, 1992	6.00	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 52

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 17.0 per gill net · typical 1.5–20.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 8, 1992	20.22	-	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 8, 1992	17.00	-	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

White Sucker

Good · 62

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.65 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 8, 1992	1.00	-	2.65 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

June 8, 1992Northern pike was the only principal predator in the lake. They were captured at a rate of 5.5/gillnet lift, which was comparable to the median value…

Northern pike was the only principal predator in the lake. They were captured at a rate of 5.5/gillnet lift, which was comparable to the median value for lake class 20. These fish ranged in length from 13.0-31.9 inches, with no distinct modal length group. The mean length northern pike was 22.6 inches long and weighted 3.5 pounds. PSD and RSD-P values were 75 and 13 respectively. Growth was good for all ages, with an age V fish growing to 23.3 inches. Spawning habitat for northern pike would be considered excellent during normal water level periods. If the water levels were at least a foot higher, northern pike would have access to three small marshes totaling approximatley 4 1/2 acres in size.White sucker (1.0), bluegill (6.0) and yellow perch (17.0) were the only other species caught in the gillnets. Yellow perch CPUE (17.0) was comparable to the third quartile value for lake class 20.The most notable species caught in the trapnets was the bluegill. This species was caught at a CPUE of 139.6 fish/lift and was more than 3 times the third quartile value for lake class 20. These fish ranged in length from 3.0-9.4 inches, with a modal length group of 5.0-5.4 inches. PSD and RSD(7) values were 24 and 8 respectively. In spite of the high population of bluegill, growth was excellent, where an age V fish was 32% larger and age V fish from other area lakes in lake class 20. A1 A2 A3 A4 A5Sleepy Island 1.55 2.83 4.06 5.18 6.09Area LC 20 lakes 1.48 2.26 3.06 3.86 4.61% of difference 4 20 33 34 32The only other species caught in the trapnets were northern pike (0.7) and yellow perch (20.2).

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Sleepy Island?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch in Sleepy Island. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Sleepy Island?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Sleepy Island. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Sleepy Island?

Sleepy Island has a maximum depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Sleepy Island last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sleepy Island is from 1992. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.