Island

The 2012 lake management plan (LMP) indicated Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike were primary management species while Black Crappie and Bluegill were secondary. The LMP goals were to maintain a Northern Pike catch at 5.0/gill net with at least 60% and 15% of the sample over 21 and 28 inches, and maintain a Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie catch at 0.5 and 7.0/gill net. A targeted survey (gill net only) was conducted in 2020 to determine the status of select game fish and provide information to anglers. Black Crappie catches have ranged from 0.3 in 2011 to 15.7/gill net in 1992. The 2020 catch of 2.7/net did not meet the LMP goal but was above average for similar lakes. The sampled fish ranged from 5.2 to 8.4 inches and averaged 6.6 inches. Four age-classes were estimated from scales with fish ranging from age 2 to 6. Growth was notably slow compared to other lakes with similar habitat. Five year-old fish only averaged 7.3 inches. Bluegill are typically evaluated using trap nets in late spring or early summer. Though not the primary indicator gear for Bluegill, the gill-net catch was 0.3/net. The lone fish sampled was 4.3 inches. The sample size was too low to make any meaningful conclusions on the population. It is likely more Bluegill were shallower, closer to the nearshore habitats that trap nets sample better. Largemouth Bass are most efficiently sampled by spring night electrofishing which was not conducted in 2020. The catch of 0.3/gill net did not meet the LMP goal. The one sampled fish was 15.5 inches. No age and growth information was collected. Northern Pike gill-net catches have ranged from 2.5/net in 1974 to 12.3/net in 1982. The 2020 catch of 5.0/net met the LMP goal. The sampled fish ranged from 17.1 to 30.8 inches and averaged 20.5 inches. The length distributions did not meet the LMP goal because only 27 and 7% of the sample fish were longer than 21 and 28 inches. Five age-classes were estimated with fish age 2 to 6 represented. Pike averaged 20.0 inches by age 4; which was similar to the statewide average. Yellow Perch is another important prey species common to northern Minnesota lakes but very few have ever been sampled in Island. In fact, none have been sampled by gill nets since 1992. It is possible some perch smaller than what the survey nets effectively sample exist but it appears they are not important component of the fish community. The entire chain of lakes has consistently had very low catches for perch. Smaller lakes often have simple fish communities and lower potential for fish production. Consequently, it is relatively easy for anglers to overharvest fish and negatively affect the fish community. Anglers are encouraged to restrict harvest for all species, particularly the larger individuals, in order to maintain or improve size distributions. Harvest of pike under the North-Central Zones 22 to 26 inch protected slot limit is encouraged because these individuals are often overabundant and can have negative effects on other fish species.

Island Lake is a 61-acre lake located 5 miles northwest of Taconite, MN. The lake is the third and smallest lake in a chain of three connected lakes including O'Reilly and Shamrock Lakes. The lake is lightly developed and has bog-stained water with a Secchi disk reading of 9.0 ft. Previous water chemistry sampling indicated low to moderate fertility. Island Lake is shallower and slightly more fertile than O'Reilly or Shamrock Lake. Primary fish species include northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish. The northern pike gill net catch rate was 4.3/net and was within the expected range for similar lakes. Catch rates in past assessments have varied from 2.5 to 12.3/net. Size structure was poor and only two fish over 23 inches were sampled. Eight year classes of northern pike were sampled with fish up to age 8. Growth was similar to the statewide average and fish averaged 25.9 inches by age 6. Largemouth bass were sampled by spring electrofishing and sampled 17 fish for a catch rate of 51.0/h, indicating a moderate to abundant population. This was the first assessment to sample largemouth bass by electrofishing. No fish were sampled by gill nets or trap nets. Size structure was moderate with fish up to 16 inches sampled. Most year classes were sampled with fish up to age 8 indicating a population with good recruitment to older age classes. Growth was slower than the statewide average with fish averaging 13.3 inches by age 6. The bluegill catch rate was 4.5/trap net and was within the expected range. Catch rates have generally been low and varied from 2.5 to 14.0/net. Catch rates in most years have been less than 10/trap net. Size structure was poor with few fish larger than 6 inches and no fish larger than 8 inches sampled. Size structure has generally been poor in most recent assessments. Fish up to age 10 were sampled and most year classes were present. Growth was slower than the lake class average with fish only averaging 5.8 inches by age 7 and 6.5 inches at age 9. Black crappie catch rates were low, with catch rates of 0.3 and 1.3/net for gill nets and trap nets. Catch rates in past assessments have been highly variable varying from 1.0 to 15.7/gill net. Size structure was poor with no fish exceeding 9 inches. Five age classes were present and fish up to age 7 were sampled. Growth was much slower than the statewide average with fish averaging 7.5 inches by age 6, compared to 10.5 inches at age 6 for the statewide average. Common prey species such as yellow perch and tullibee were not sampled in this assessment. Both species have been sampled in few previous assessments. Low abundance of prey species limits growth rates and abundance of predator species such as northern pike. Other species sampled by gill nets and trap nets include brown and yellow bullhead and pumpkinseed sunfish. Lakeshore owners may affect fish populations not only through harvesting fish, but also through land use practices. It is important to leave a 30 to 50 ft buffer strip of native vegetation along the shoreline to prevent erosion and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Nonfunctioning septic systems can also lead to water quality problems. Good water quality and fish populations are the direct result of good land use practices. Anglers can also help to improve the size structure of the fish community by harvesting fewer smaller fish and releasing medium and larger fish.

Island Lake is a small (61 acres) lake located four miles north of Taconite. Island Lake is part of a three lake chain that includes Shamrock and O'Reilly. O'Reilly Lake is the only lake with a public access. The lake management plan indicates largemouth bass and northern pike as the primary species of management with black crappie and bluegill as secondary species. Largemouth bass have never been sampled with spring electrofishing. Therefore we have very little information on the population. The management goals for northern pike were exceeded in 2000. The net catch was about average when compared to lakes similar to Island. Moderate northern pike population levels are more desirable because they generally have better size distributions. In contrast, high population levels often are associated with slow growth, high natural mortality and smaller size distributions. In 2000, northern pike ranged from 14.8 to 35.2 inches and had an average length of 21.4 inches. Seven year classes were identified by age analysis ranging from age 1 to age 9. Northern pike averaged 22.5 inches in four years of growth which is above the statewide average of 20.5.The black crappie net catches were some of the highest on record for Island Lake. When compared to lakes similar to Island, the net catch was higher than most other lakes. Black crappie lengths ranged from 4.8 to 9.8 inches and averaged 7.4 inches. Six year classes from age 1 to age 6 were represented with nearly 61% of the fish from the 1997 year class. Growth was below statewide averages for all year classes. Despite the difficulty in catching black crappie during the summer with our standard sampling methods, it appears the population is in good shape. Bluegill trap-net catch rates were the second highest on record in 2000. Trap-net catch rates have always been low to moderate but the size distribution has been decent. Bluegill ranged from 3.5 to 8.6 inches with a mean length of 5.8 inches. Age and growth information was not collected during the 2000 assessment.Other species observed during the population assessment included bowfin, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed sunfish, and yellow perch. These species were sampled in very low numbers and similar to historical catch rates.To promote and maintain healthy fish populations, pollution needs to be controlled. Fish habitat is directly affected by water quality. Nutrients, sediments and other waste can drastically alter the chemical and physical characteristics of a lake. People often associate water quality problems in a lake with agricultural, forestry or industrial practices within the watershed. Although these can be areas of concern, lakeshore property owners also contribute to water quality problems. Some examples include putting in sand beaches, removing shoreline trees and vegetation, fertilizing lawns, and mowing their lawns down to the lakeshore. Improved land use practices by everyone should insure that this fishery can be enjoyed by future generations.

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

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

Island has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Island is from 2020.

No invasive species are on record for Island in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.