Island Lake Reservoir

Island Reservoir is located about 15 miles north of Duluth, MN, with a maximum depth of 94 feet. Three public access sites owned and operated by Minnesota power provide entry to Island Reservoir, including Abbott Road, Hideaway, and Dam Road access areas. Targeted gill net surveys are conducted annually in the fall on Island Reservoir to closely monitor the Walleye population following the implementation of an experimental Walleye angling regulation in 2021 (15- to 20-inch protected slot; bag and possession limit of 10, with no more than one Walleye over 20 inches). Walleye and Muskellunge are the primary management species in the reservoir, and Walleye have not been stocked since 1970 because the population sustains itself through natural reproduction. The Walleye population faces unique challenges, including a high abundance of small fish and exceptionally slow growth rates, which can limit the effectiveness of special angling regulations. The 2021 experimental regulations were designed to improve Walleye size structure and encourage anglers to harvest surplus small fish. Walleye management goals include having a fishery with relatively high gill net catch rates and good numbers of fish over 15 inches. Anglers can help achieve this goal by following the protected slot regulation, selectively harvesting larger fish, and harvesting fish less than 15 inches in length. During the most recent survey, Walleye gill net abundance averaged 4.2 per net, with a mean length of 13.6 inches and a range of 5.0 to 27.4 inches, reflecting very slow growth consistent with prior surveys. Age analysis indicated consistent recruitment with one missing year-classes from 2013 through 2025, suggesting anglers can expect good catches dominated by small fish. Yellow Perch gill net abundance averaged 5.7 per net, with most captured fish being larger than eight inches, limiting predation by small Walleye. Age analysis indicated consistent recruitment, with year classes from 2015 to 2023 present, suggesting anglers can expect good Yellow Perch fishing in the coming years. Smallmouth Bass abundance averaged 1.1 per net, above average for similar Minnesota lakes, with captured fish ranging from 7.6 to 17.9 inches, providing quality angling opportunities.

Targeted gill net surveys are being conducted in the fall annually on Island Lake Reservoir to closely monitor the Walleye population following the implementation of an experimental Walleye angling regulation in 2021. Walleye and Muskellunge are the primary management species for Island Reservoir. Stocking of Walleye has not occurred into Island Reservoir since 1970 because the population has been able to adequately sustain itself through natural reproduction. The Walleye population at Island Reservoir has unique challenges including a high abundance of small fish and exceptionally slow growth rates. These challenges limit the effectiveness of special angling regulations occasionally implemented on other Minnesota Walleye fisheries. Experimental Walleye angling regulations were implemented on Island Reservoir in 2021 (protected slot limit 15-20", not more than one over 20", bag limit of 10 fish) to improve Walleye size structure and encourage anglers to harvest surplus small Walleye that are abundant. Biological performance indicators were used to monitor the Walleye fishery and are calculated annually to monitor trends and help evaluate the effectiveness of the experimental angling regulation. Catch rates of Walleye observed during this survey should be interpreted with caution and may not be comparable to summer gillnet indices because of seasonal movements, sampling or environmental variability. Important metrics needed to monitor for trends in the Walleye population such as age at maturity cannot be calculated during summer assessments and necessitates the need for fall sampling for effective monitoring. Walleye gill net abundance (4.6/net) was average compared to other similar lakes. Walleye mean length was 12.1 inches and ranged from 5.6 to 24.3 inches. Growth rates observed were similar to what was observed from the 2021 standard survey and still represents very slow growth compared to other Duluth Area Walleye populations. Age analysis revealed consistent recruitment with no missing year-classes from 2014 through 2024. Anglers should expect good catches of Walleye, but small fish will likely dominate the catch. Yellow Perch gill net abundance (6.7/net) was average compared to other similar lakes. Despite typical abundance of Yellow Perch, most fish captured were relatively large and small Walleye are gape-limited to these prey. A targeted vertical gillnet survey using small mesh monofilament nets did not capture any juvenile Yellow Perch in 2019, and shoreline beach seining in 2021 for small Yellow Perch was down from previous surveys. Smallmouth Bass gill net abundance (1.1/net) is above average compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. Average length of captured Smallmouth Bass was 12.9 inches but bass up to 17.4 inches were sampled. Quality angling opportunities for Smallmouth Bass exist in Island.

Targeted gill net surveys are being conducted in the fall annually on Island Reservoir to closely monitor the Walleye population following the implementation of an experimental Walleye angling regulation in 2021. Walleye and Muskellunge are the primary management species for Island Reservoir. Stocking of Walleye has not occurred regularly into Island Reservoir since 1970 because the population has been able to adequately sustain itself through natural reproduction. The Walleye population at Island Reservoir has unique challenges including a high abundance of small fish and exceptionally slow growth rates. These challenges limit the effectiveness of special angling regulations occasionally implemented on other Minnesota Walleye fisheries. Experimental Walleye angling regulations were implemented on Island Reservoir in 2021 (protected slot limit 15-20", not more than one over 20", bag limit of 10 fish) to improve Walleye size structure and encourage anglers to harvest surplus small Walleye that are abundant. Biological performance indicators were used to monitor the Walleye fishery and will be calculated annually to monitor trends and help evaluate the effectiveness of the experimental angling regulation. Size structure and catch rates of Walleye observed during this survey should be interpreted with caution, may show differences from summer gillnet indices and may be a result of seasonal movements, sampling or environmental variability. Other metrics, such as length and age at maturity cannot be calculated during summer assessments and necessitate the need for fall sampling for effective monitoring. Walleye abundance of 3.9 per gillnet lift is average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye average length was 13.8 inches but no specimens over 22 inches were captured. Growth rates observed were similar to what was observed from the 2021 standard survey and still represents slow growth compared to other Duluth Area Walleye populations. Age analysis revealed consistent recruitment with no missing year-classes from 2013 through 2021. Female Walleye length at maturity was 14.3 inches while age at maturity was 5.7 years. Male Walleye length at maturity was 12.9 inches while age at maturity was 5.1 years. Anglers should expect good catches of Walleye, but small fish will dominate the catch. Yellow Perch abundance of 8.9 per lift was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Despite an above average abundance of adult Yellow Perch, most perch captured were relatively large and small Walleye are gape-limited to these prey. A targeted vertical gillnet survey using small mesh monofilament nets did not capture any juvenile Yellow Perch in 2019, and shoreline beach seining in 2021 for small Yellow Perch was down from previous surveys. Smallmouth Bass gillnet abundance of 1.1 per lift is above average compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. Average length of captured Smallmouth Bass was 12.3 inches. Northern Pike abundance of 0.8 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 20.7 inches.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Muskellunge, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Walleye in Island Lake Reservoir. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Island Lake Reservoir has a maximum depth of 94 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Island Lake Reservoir has confirmed spiny waterflea. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.