Island

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Island Lake was conducted beginning on August 26, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sampling stations. A 50-foot seine was used to sample 6 stations and a 15-foot seine was used at 2 stations. Sampling was difficult at 2 stations, which were not seined because site conditions prevented wading. Nearshore sampling captured 5 species of fish, including 3 species that are tolerant of disturbance (Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a survey conducted by area fisheries staff in July of 2023 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, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Fathead Minnow). 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. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Island Lake is adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Redwood River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Island Lake is heavily impacted by environmental stressors. You can help the fishery in Island Lake recover by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Island Lake is a 163-acre lake located in Lyon County 12 miles southwest of the City of Marshall. This is a unique lake given its location within the watershed. Unlike many of the other lakes in our Windom Fish Management Area, Island Lake is nearly isolated with very little connectivity. Historical photos for the last 30+ years has indicated significant water level changes over that period. Island Lake is relatively shallow (maximum depth 8.0 ft.) thus the primary management species is Northern Pike, and the secondary management species is Yellow Perch. A survey was conducted the week of July 17, 2023, to monitor fish populations using one gill net and eight trap nets. Historically, Northern Pike catch rates have ranged from 0.0 per trap net in 1988 and 1999 to 4.1 per trap net in 2017. In 2023 the Northern Pike catch rate was 2.5 per trap net, which is slightly above the long-term average of 2.2 per trap net. The gill net catch rate of Northern Pike was 3.0 per gill net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.1 to 8.0 per gill net). Northern Pike fingerlings were stocked in 2016 and 2022, in addition, Island Lake has favorable habitat for Northern Pike reproduction. Lengths of Northern Pike ranged from 23.3 to 33.1 inches and averaged 28.4 inches. Island Lake is within the "southern zone" of the Northern Pike zone regulations, so two Pike longer than 24 inches can be harvested. Northern Pike under 24 inches must be released. Yellow Perch catch rates have been highly variable in Island Lake, ranging from 8.5 per gill net in 1988 to 444.0 per gill net in 2011, and averaging 118.6 per gill net since 1988. In 2023 the Yellow Perch catch rate was 35.0 per gill net, similar to the 2017 catch rate of 37.5 per gill net. The catch rate in 2023 exceeded the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.7 to 25.0 per gill net). Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 4.7 to 6.6 inches and averaged 5.6 inches (PSD=68). The Yellow Perch need to grow a bit before most anglers would target them. The Black Bullhead catch rate was 70.0 per gill net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (30.3 to 150.6 per gill net). Lengths of Black Bullhead ranged from 4.3 to 14.6 inches and averaged 7.0 inches. Brown Bullhead were also abundant being captured at a rate of 86.0 per gill net, greater than the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (0.5 to 5.6 per gill net). Brown Bullhead lengths ranged from 4.7 to 15.3 inches and average 9.1 inches. The fish community in Island Lake is simple, as the only other species of fish sampled was one 22.6 inch Walleye. It is highly likely that an angler moved that Walleye in from another lake as DNR has not stocked Walleye.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Island Lake was conducted on June 27-28, 2018 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations, but two stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample three stations, a 15-foot seine was used at five stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured just six species of fish including three that are tolerant of disturbance (Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish) but none that are intolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2017 standard 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, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, 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 in poor health as indicated by an FIBI score below 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 Redwood River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Green Sunfish 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 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Island is from 2023.

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.