Island River

Island River Lake is located just south of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness 12 miles northeast of Isabella. Anglers wishing to access the lake should first go to the Comfort Lake carry-down access located at the end of forest road 913D; the road to this location is rough and a high clearance vehicle is recommended. From the Comfort Lake access point anglers need to cross Comfort Lake then travel through a short connecting channel to Island River Lake. Depending on water levels and beaver activity this channel may or may not be suitable for travel by small boat. The Island River flows in the east end of the lake and out the west end. Island River Lake is at the upstream end of the Island River Canoe Route, a US Forest Service designated canoe route with a portage trail connecting Island River Lake to the Island River downstream and a water access campsite that is located on the western shore of the lake. The lake supports fisheries for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Black Crappie. A survey of the lake was conducted during June of 2025 to update information on the sportfish populations and fish community. Walleye gill net catch was within the normal range compared to similar lakes in northeastern Minnesota. These fish had an average length of 14.5 inches with the longest fish measuring 18.5 inches. The fish that were caught were estimated to be between age-2 and age-9 with few missing ages suggesting that Walleye spawn successfully most years in the lake or connected river. This population provides similar opportunities to many lakes in the area with good opportunities to catch and harvest eater-sized fish. The number of Northern Pike captured was normal relative to similar lakes in the Finland Area. On average the pike sampled in Island River Lake were 25 inches long with three of the fish measuring longer than 36 inches. This sample had a better average size and more fish longer than 36 inches than are observed in many other area lakes. Based on age analysis, pike successfully reproduce most years and the oldest fish were estimated to be age-7. Island River Lake currently supports a quality sized pike population and potential opportunity for anglers to catch a trophy sized fish. A small number of age-2 Black Crappie were sampled. Previous surveys of Island River Lake have shown that the lake supports a fishable crappie population with successful reproduction most years. The reason for the low catch during the 2025 survey is unknown. The catch could have been affected by the sampling equipment used and timing of the survey, or by the presence of a large beaver dam between Comfort Lake and Island River Lake that likely restricted fish movement between the two lakes. Surveys in the future will help staff better understand trends in the crappie population in Island River Lake. Yellow Perch, White Sucker, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Rock Bass were also present during the survey.

Island River Lake is a 122 acre lake with a maximum depth of 7 feet located in a remote area just south of the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The Island River runs through the lake and there are two campsites located on the lake, one official United States Forest Service (USFS) site and one user made campsite. Island River Lake is the upstream end of an 8 mile USFS canoe route with maintained portages that runs down to the Island River BWCAW access point. The best way to access Island River Lake is by way of a short channel or portage trail (40 yards) from Comfort Lake, which has a carry down access. The road into Comfort Lake is rough and a portion of the road was burned over in the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire, a high clearance four wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended and there is a high potential for trees to be down over the road. The purpose of the summer 2017 survey was to provide an update on the status of the fish community, which is maintained entirely through natural reproduction. Walleye catch in Island River Lake was slightly below average when compared to other area lakes. The average weight of Walleye sampled was right around a pound with the heaviest Walleye tipping the scales at roughly five and a half pounds. Average length was approximately 14 inches with the longest fish measuring 25 inches. Seven different ages of Walleye were identified in the sample ranging from zero to 10 years old. Age-2 fish were the most common and averaged nine inches long at the time of sampling. Growth of Walleye in Island River Lake was average when compared to similar lakes in the area. The catch of Northern Pike in Island River Lake was below average when compared to other area lakes, but the average size was good. The average weight of Northern Pike in the sample was approximately three pounds with fish up to seven pounds sampled. Northern Pike averaged 22 inches long with the longest fish measuring 33 inches. Northern Pike ranged from zero to 11 years old, and age-1 fish made up 29 percent of the catch. These fish only averaged 11 inches at the time of sampling. Northern Pike growth was near average relative to other area lakes. Black Crappie catch was slightly better than average when compared with other area lakes. On average, the Black Crappie sampled weighed just less than a pound, better than the average when compared to other similar lakes. The average length of Black Crappie sampled was a little over 11 inches with fish as long as 14 inches sampled. Age analysis determined several year classes are present and Black Crappie growth was near average when compared to other area lakes. Based on the numbers captured, size range, and age range, Black Crappie appear to be well established in Island River Lake. Yellow Perch catch was well above average compared to other area lakes, but average weight was only 0.2 pounds. Yellow Perch length averaged seven inches with the longest fish measuring between nine and ten inches. Several year classes were present and growth of Yellow Perch in Island River Lake was average relative to other area lakes. In addition to game fish species, White Sucker, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, a Burbot, Johnny Darter, Golden Shiner, and Trout-Perch were sampled. Young of the year Largemouth Bass were also captured for the first time in Island River Lake. This may indicate a spawning population exists in the lake; Largemouth Bass have previously been sampled upstream in the Island River and Silver Island Lake. It is not known at this time whether a fishable population of Largemouth Bass will become established in Island River Lake. Despite being remote and difficult to access, Island River Lake offers diverse angling opportunities for those willing to put in the effort. The lake supports populations of both Walleye and Black Crappie with good numbers and size structures. There are also opportunities to camp on the lake and opportunities to explore the Island River above and below the lake.

Island River Lake is a 122 acre lake with a maximum depth of 7 feet located in a remote area just south of the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. The Island River runs through the lake and there are two campsites located on the lake, one official United States Forest Service site and one user-made campsite. The best way to access Island River Lake is a short channel or portage trail (40 yards) from Comfort Lake, which has a carry-down access. The road into Comfort Lake is rough and a portion of the road was burned over in the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire, a high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended and there is a high potential for trees to be down over the road. A population of Black Crappie became established in Island River Lake sometime prior to 2008. The purposes of this spring netting were to assess the state of the Black Crappie population and to compliment the summer survey. A total of six Black Crappie were sampled in trap nets. These fish ranged in length from 5 to 13 inches with an average length of 9 inches and an average weight of 0.6 pounds. A total of five year classes were captured with fish up to age-10 present in the sample. Colder than expected water temperatures likely resulted in the low catch rate. The sample collected from a standard survey conducted in August of 2017 was larger and likely a better representation of the Black Crappie population. In addition to Black Crappie, eight Northern Pike were sampled with a mean length of 14 inches and a maximum length of 24 inches. One 25 inch Walleye was sampled, it was estimated to be 15 years old. Two Yellow Perch were sampled, both were approximately 8 inches long.

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

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

Island River has a maximum depth of 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Island River is from 2025.

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