Island Lake (Itasca County)

Itasca County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 31040600

Island Lake (Itasca County) has no DNR stocking rows in LakeFinder; this page carries its DNR depth, access and survey data.

• Island Lake (Itasca County) shows no stocking records in Minnesota DNR LakeFinder as of September 2, 2026.
• Maximum depth 45 ft; surface area 67 acres, 50 littoral acres, 2.6 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 11.0 ft.
• Fish species DNR lists here: black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, yellow bullhead, yellow perch.
• 1 public access on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: July 16, 2012 (standard survey).
• Itasca County, nearest town Canisteo; DNR lake number (DOW) 31040600.

Depth map

Bathymetric contours from the Minnesota DNR lake survey; depths in feet. Simplified for the web; not for navigation.

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2012

Catch per net (CPUE) is the DNR survey's count per gill net or trap net set; higher means more of that species were sampled, not a fishing forecast. Top species per gear shown; where we have no verified common name for a DNR code, the code itself is shown.

Island Lake is a small, mesotrophic lake near Grand Rapids, MN. The lake consists of two distinct interconnected basins. The main basin features a small, sedge covered island and a larger forested island. Island Lake receives water from Horseshoe and Spring lakes and outlets to the Prairie River via Hay Lake and Hay Creek. A population assessment was conducted in July of 2012 to determine the status of the fish community and collect data needed to assign a lake class. The assessment consisted of two gill nets and four trap nets set for a single night. Caution should be used when interpreting data, given the limited number of nets. The lake is difficult to sample due to sharp drop-offs, densely vegetated shoal areas, and shallow thermocline. Oxygen was depleted by 10 feet, limiting potential gill net locations. The lake was also sounded for bathymetric contours during the assessment. The lake was relatively pristine, with only 2 dwellings present. The shoreline was in a natural state and emergent and floating vegetation rings the entire lake. Dense Chara spp. was found throughout the shoal areas and submergent vegetation was found throughout the littoral area. The water was relatively clear with a Secchi disk reading of 11 feet and was bog stained. Northern pike were the primary fish captured in the gill nets. The catch was average compared to lakes with similar habitats. The size structure was good, as 40% exceeded 28 inches and 10% exceeded 34 inches. Pike ranged from 14.6 to 36.8 inches and averaged 22.7 inches. Growth was near the statewide average as individuals typically exceeded 21 inches by age 4 and 28 inches by age 8. Island Lake is difficult to sample with trap nets due to thick vegetation and sharp drop offs. Only four trap nets were set. Bluegills were the most common fish in the trap nets and the catch was typical for the lake type. Bluegills were generally of a quality size, ranging from 3.3 to 8.9 inches with a mean of 6.5 inches. Lake class 33 produces moderate growing bluegill and growth from Island Lake was similar to the lake class average as individuals exceeded 6 inches by age 5 and 8 inches by age 7. Recruitment appeared inconsistent. Bluegill averaged 4.9 years of age. Good angling opportunities may exist for bluegill given the quality size and age structures. Largemouth bass and black crappie are difficult to catch with standard test nets. Black crappies were captured at a typical rate for the lake type. Size ranged from 6.0 to 10.2 inches and averaged 8.1 inches. Growth was near the statewide average as individuals exceeded 8…

Minnesota DNR survey narrative, July 16, 2012.

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