Silver Island

A targeted survey was completed in June 2024 consisting of spring trap netting to sample the adult Black Crappie population. Black Crappie have been caught in low numbers during historic standard surveys of the lake. Trap nets were set around the lake in the best habitat available but were not successful at capturing a representative sample of the crappie population. Although not the species targeted, spring trap netting efforts did capture a small number of adult Bluegill which was the first time the species was sampled in the lake. In addition, a single adult Largemouth Bass was also sampled during spring trap netting and was the first adult Largemouth Bass sampled from the lake. It is unclear if the population is too new and small to be sampled effectively or if lake habitat limits the population to its current size.

A targeted survey consisting of daytime electrofishing to sample Largemouth Bass was completed in spring 2024. Several bays around the lake were sampled for 10 to 25 minutes each in an attempt to capture bass, but only one adult Largemouth Bass and one adult Black Crappie were collected. These results indicate daytime electrofishing was not an effective way to sample Largemouth Bass in Silver Island Lake. It is unclear if the population is too new and small to be sampled effectively or if lake habitat limits the population to its current size. Future surveys will monitor the potential for a Largemouth Bass fishery in Silver Island Lake.

Silver Island Lake is a popular lake in the Finland area and is located about 10 miles northeast of Isabella. The primary public access has a concrete boat ramp and dock adjacent to the eight site US Forest Service campground on the southwest part of the lake. The shore near this access has many boulders making mooring boats along the shore difficult; although there are a couple boat docks for campers to use. A second access is a carry-in to a sandy beach on the south shore of the lake. There are also a couple of remote campsites adjacent to this access. The third access is a portage from T Lake on the northeastern shore of the main basin. There are also several remote campsites located on the shore of the lake, accessible by only watercraft. There are numerous boulders in the lake with some just above the water and others just below the water. The dark bog stained water of the lake makes seeing the boulders difficult and boaters should use care when motoring in the lake. The number of Walleye caught was within the normal range for similar lakes and consistent with previous investigations. The average size of Walleye in 2020 was 13.2 inches and 0.9 pounds. Over 35% of the catch was at least 14 inches long. The largest Walleye sampled was 26.6 inches long and weighed 6.5 pounds. Age analysis determined natural reproduction occurs consistently and fish regularly reach maturity. Growth is slow however, and Walleye require more time to reach a size of interest to anglers than other lakes in the area. The gill net catch for Black Crappie was below average for the lake, yet still within the normal range. Despite the low catch in 2020 Silver Island Lake has historically had a decent Black Crappie population. The Northern Pike gill net catch of 2.8 per net was near average for similar lakes in the area. The average length was 18.7 inches with the largest pike measured 27.8 inches and weighing 4.0 pounds. Only four pike were over 22 inches in length making up 16% of the catch. The lake has been able to produce some bigger pike with fish over 30 inches sampled in previous investigations. Growth of Northern Pike appeared to be normal, and natural reproduction has been able to sustain the population with six different ages represented in the sample. Lake Whitefish gill net catch of 3.0 per net was within the normal range for the lake class. Length of whitefish ranged from 7.6 to 19.6 inches with 22% of the catch longer than 15 inches. The population is maintained through natural reproduction. Silver Island Lake is open to fall whitefish sport-netting. Refer to the current synopsis for all applicable rules and regulations for the whitefish netting season. Yellow Perch were sampled at normal numbers compared to similar lakes in the area. The average length of perch was 5.2 inches. The largest Yellow Perch caught was 10.1 inches long with 12% of the catch was over 9 inches in length. Yellow Perch are an important forage fish in the lake, and anglers might catch an occasional keeper perch. White Sucker are another important forage species in the lake and were sampled at average numbers for the lake class. The average length was 14.3 inches with the longest sucker measuring 19.5 inches. Rock Bass were also sampled in the gill nets.

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

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

Silver Island has a maximum depth of 16 feet and a mean depth of 7.9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Silver Island is from 2024.

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