Island

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. 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.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Island Lake was conducted on July 11-15, 2021 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Nearshore sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 24 sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to soft substrate, deep water, and dense vegetation. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eleven stations, a 15-foot seine was used at eleven stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 19 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Burbot, Iowa Darter, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass) and 1 species that is tolerant of disturbance (Black Bullhead). A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted by IBI Program Staff. Fifteen trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Yellow Perch were the most abundant by number and Yellow Perch, Walleye, and Northern Pike comprised the majority of the trap net catch biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 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, Least Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and 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. Data from this survey indicates Island Lake is healthy as indicated by a FIBI score well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Big Fork River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Island Lake is a relatively shallow and productive, 3,088 acre lake located in the far northwestern part of Itasca County, two miles south of Northome, MN. The lake has one main public access on the northwest side and moderate shoreline development. The 2014 lake management plan (LMP) indicates Walleye and Northern Pike as the primary species of management because they are well suited to the lake and have active management while Yellow Perch were a secondary species because they do not require active management. The LMP goals were to maintain a catch of 6.0 Walleye/net with 50, 25 and 10 percent of the sample over 15, 20, and 25 inches in length; maintain a quality Northern Pike population represented by a catch of 5.0 fish/net and at least 40 and 20 percent of the sample over 21 and 28 inches in length. In order to achieve these goals, special regulations to reduce harvest were necessary. In 2003, a 24 to 36 inch protected slot length limit with only one Northern Pike over 36 inches in possession was implemented. Two years later a Walleye slot length limit was applied to the lake that required all fish between 17 and 26 inches to be released and only one fish over 26 inches could be in possession. A targeted survey was conducted to evaluate the special regulations and the Walleye stocking strategy in June of 2021. The survey only used gill nets to assess select game species for numbers, size, age and growth. The Walleye stocking strategy over the last 30 years has went from high-density fry stocking every other year to an incrementally lower-density fry stocking on an annual basis. Results from fall night electrofishing for young Walleye and summer gill netting on Island Lake found that a good year-class is more dependent on the right environmental conditions (timing of spring, progression of water temperatures, other fish community interactions, etc.) than the number of Walleye fry stocked in that year. Many other lakes in the Grand Rapids Area and around the state have also experienced this as well. As a result, our goal is to continually refine the stocking strategy based on new data from Island Lake and around the state to provide the most cost-effective fishery to anglers. Island Lake has a history of being a good Walleye fishery. Walleye catch rates have fluctuated from a low of 0.9/gill net in 1984 to a high of 13.9/gill net in 2021. The record high catch in 2021 exceeded the management goal of 6 fish/gill net. The sampled fish ranged from 7.2 to 25.2 inches and averaged 14.4 inches. The LMP size distribution goals were not achieved in this survey because of one young, strong year-class. Walleye age and growth information was determined from bony structures like scales or an inner-ear bone called an otolith. Eleven age-classes were identified with fish from age 1 to 12 represented. The strong 2018 year-class represented 59 percent of the sample, though several other year-classes were well represented. Walleye averaged nearly 15.0 inches after four years of growth. Walleye angling should continue to be good given the results of this survey. High pike populations are undesirable because they typically have slow growth and poor size distributions. Consequently, management goals and strategies seek to produce populations with low to moderate numbers so more fish attain larger sizes, which also is beneficial for the entire fish community. Northern Pike gill-net catch rates have ranged from a low of 1.1 fish/net in 1954 to a high of 11.7 fish/net in 1969. Though the pike catch of 6.8 fish/gill net in 2021 did not attain the LMP goal, it was average for the lake. The sampled fish ranged from 19.6 to 37.1 inches and averaged 27.2 inches. The size structure goals were exceeded since 91% of the sample was longer than 21 inches and 44% was longer than 28 inches. The catch of pike under 22 inches has declined while the catch of fish from 24 to 36 inches has increased dramatically since the regulation was implemented in 2003. In addition, the age distribution and growth has improved. Nine age-classes were identified that ranged from age 2 to 10. Recruitment appeared to be consistent with no dominant year-class. Northern Pike averaged 27.0 inches after four years of growth, which was fast compared to the statewide average. Anglers should have good opportunity to catch moderate sized pike in Island. Yellow Perch are important prey for predators in Island Lake and can occasionally provide fish large enough to attract anglers. Yellow Perch gill-net catch rates have fluctuated from a low of 15.2 fish/net in 1954 to a high of 151.8 fish/net in 1969. The 2021 catch of 67.9 fish/net exceeded the lake average of 58.4 fish/net. The sampled perch ranged from 5.3 to 11.3 and averaged 7.3 inches. Age and growth information was not collected in this survey. Tullibee are important to fish communities as prey for many predator species, especially Northern Pike and Walleye. However, monitoring them can be difficult because they frequently live suspended over deep water, an area our standard sampling gear was not designed to sample. As a result, catch rates can be highly variable and interpretation of the data can be challenging. In fact, catch rates varied from the highest on record in 2006 (11.8 fish/net) to the lowest on record in 2010 (0.4 fish/net). In 2021, the catch was again equal to the lowest catch on record (0.4 fish/net). The five sampled fish ranged from 8.1 to 16.5 inches and averaged 10.8 inches. Though the fish were not aged, multiple age-classes were likely sampled based on the size distribution. Minnesota has documented a declining trend in Tullibee catches around the state since the 1970s so the Island Lake population may be vulnerable to extirpation because it has marginal habitat. The shallow and productive nature of the lake often results in warmer than ideal summer temperatures for species like Tullibee. Other species observed during the survey included Bluegill, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass and White Sucker. In order to maintain or improve fish and wildlife populations, water quality and habitat must be protected. People often associate water quality problems with large-scale agricultural, forestry, urban development or industrial practices in the watershed. In reality, the impact of land use decisions on one lake lot may be relatively small, yet the cumulative impact of those decisions on many lake lots can result in a significant decline in water quality and habitat. For example, removing shoreline and aquatic vegetation, fertilizing lawns, mowing to the water's edge, installing beach sand blankets, failing septic systems and uncontrolled run-off, all contribute excess nutrients and sediment which degrade water quality and habitat. Understanding these cumulative impacts and taking steps to avoid or minimize them will help to insure our quality fisheries can be enjoyed by future generations.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, and Black Crappie 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 2021.

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.