Island Lake Reservoir Fishing
St. Louis County, 8,001 acres, 94 feet deep.
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Island Lake Reservoir, the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts Island Lake Reservoir, a reservoir in St. Louis County, at 8,001 acres. Maximum depth is 94 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 3,260 acres (41%). Rice Lake is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 8 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Duluth manages it. DNR records count it among muskie lakes (introduced).
The species list from DNR surveys starts with walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Boaters have 4 public water accesses, 3 of them trailer launches. The last DNR standard survey ran on July 6, 2021. Walleye catch rates sat within normal: 6.5 per gill net against 3.6-10.8.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 What the DNR nets turned up on Island Lake Reservoir
The standard survey of July 6, 2021 supplied these counts; the DNR normal range shows what similar lakes produce.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 143 | 6.5 | 3.6-10.8 | 0.69 | 0.8-1.3 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 30 | 1.5 | 0.9-1.9 | 1.2 | 0.9-1.3 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 36 | 1.64 | 1.1-2.4 | 2.15 | 2.8-4.3 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 21 | 1.05 | 1.5 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 268 | 12.18 | 1.4-6.8 | 0.22 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 17 | 0.85 | 2.2-8.5 | 0.17 | 0.2-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 2 | 0.09 | 0.2-0.8 | 0.76 | 0.2-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 22 | 1.1 | 1.3-2.6 | 0.87 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 10 | 0.5 | 6.8-33.1 | 0.67 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Survey seining | 149 | 12.42 | |||
| Largemouth bass | Survey seining | 3 | 0.25 | 0.07 | ||
| Smallmouth bass | Standard gill nets | 26 | 1.18 | 0.2-0.6 | 2.17 | 0.7-1.2 |
Island Lake Reservoir gill net counts
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on Island Lake Reservoir
“A standard survey was conducted on Island Reservoir during the summer of 2021 to update information about fish populations.”
“Walleye and Muskellunge are the primary management species for Island Reservoir.”
“Muskellunge are not well sampled during summer investigations and are indexed via a targeted spawning assessment once every five years.”
“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).”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Island Lake Reservoir (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around Island Lake Reservoir
- Island Lake, Dam Site Access2 ramps, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Minnesota Power
- Island Lake, Abbot Road (E) Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Island Lake, Hideaway (N) Access1 ramp, 14 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR alert posted, Minnesota Power
- Cloquet River Access1 ramp, Minnesota Power
How the DNR splits Island Lake Reservoir
- Island Lake Rsvr(E.Basin)DNR 69037202
- Island Lake Rsvr(W.Basin)DNR 69037201
Water accesses near Island Lake Reservoir
- Boulder Lake Access near Rice LakeBoulder, 3 miles northwest
- Olson Lake Access near Rice LakeUnnamed, 3 miles southwest
- Mirror Lake Access near Rice LakeMirror, 3 miles south
- Clearwater Lake Access near Rice LakeClearwater, 4 miles southwest
- Fish Lake, High Banks (N) AccessFish Lake Flowage, 6 miles southwest
- Wild Rice Lake AccessWild Rice, 7 miles south
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Island Lake Reservoir basin shape
Volunteers and DNR staff have logged 4 Secchi readings on Island Lake Reservoir since 2006.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Water level on Island Lake Reservoir
DNR gauge readers record Island Lake Reservoir by hand; the last entry is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish found in Island Lake Reservoir
Every species shown for Island Lake Reservoir turned up in a DNR survey or holds a record here.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Limits that apply on Island Lake Reservoir
Island Lake Reservoir carries special regulations, and they override the statewide rows below for those species.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | All from 15-20" must be immediately released. Possession limit 10, only one over 20" allowed in possession. | including Cloquet River from mouth of Island Reservoir upstream 0.5 miles to rapids and Otter River from mouth of Island |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 over 40" in possession, all from 30-40" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 northern pike over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 8, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Island Lake Reservoir sits in the Northeast Zone by map position, which sets the pike and bass rows.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Sizing up Island Lake Reservoir against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Lake Reservoir | 8,001 | 94 | 4 | 6.5 | |
| Apple Lake | 2 miles west | 31 | 16 | 0 | 3 |
| Schultz Lake, St. Louis County | 2 miles southeast | 210 | 48 | 0 | 0.83 |
| Jacobs Lake | 3 miles east | 90 | 9 | 0 | |
| Sunshine Lake | 3 miles southeast | 79 | 37 | 0 | 1.5 |
| Mirror Lake, St. Louis County | 3 miles south | 19 | 27 | 1 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of Island Lake Reservoir
More Minnesota lakes near Island Lake Reservoir
- Apple Lake2 miles west
- Schultz Lake, St. Louis County2 miles southeast
- Jacobs Lake3 miles east
- Sunshine Lake3 miles southeast
- Mirror Lake, St. Louis County3 miles south
Minnow buckets filled near Island Lake Reservoir
- Chalstrom Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Duluth, 7 miles
- Chalstrom's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Duluth, 9 miles
- H Christiansen Cofarm and general store with fishing supplies, Duluth, 11 miles
- King's Outdoor Experiencesporting goods store, Duluth, 12 miles
- The Fisherman's Corner & Gunsbait and tackle shop, Duluth, 12 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Hermantownsporting goods store, Hermantown, 13 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Island Lake Reservoir
- Rice Lake7 miles
- Hermantown15 miles
- Duluth17 miles
Counties that Island Lake Reservoir reaches
- St. Louis Countyseat: Duluth
Four Piscifun picks for Island Lake Reservoir
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Fish to look for at Island Lake Reservoir
Photo: Georg Mittenecker, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: Robert Colletta, Public domain
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Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Handy answers on Island Lake Reservoir
Which DNR office covers Island Lake Reservoir?
In St. Louis County, managed from the Duluth fisheries office, about 8 miles from Rice Lake.
What is the maximum depth of Island Lake Reservoir?
The DNR record gives 8,001 acres, 94 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on Island Lake Reservoir?
4 public accesses, with Island Lake, Dam Site Access listed first.
Which species has the DNR recorded in Island Lake Reservoir?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
When did the DNR last survey Island Lake Reservoir?
July 6, 2021, in a standard survey. walleye ran 6.5 per gill net.
Are there size limits on Island Lake Reservoir?
Walleye: All from 15-20" must be immediately released. Possession limit 10, only one over 20" allowed in possession.
Do kids need a license on Island Lake Reservoir?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
How clear is Island Lake Reservoir?
Average clarity: 5.2 feet.
Where are minnows sold near Island Lake Reservoir?
Drive 7 miles to reach Chalstrom Bait & Tackle.
Plan a lake day on Island Lake Reservoir
Minnesota license costs and limits are one click away.