Island Lake Resevoir

[jtanelson]

Hey, I am looking for a new lake to try for Muskies this summer and am considering Island. Are there any resorts on the lake or should a person just get a hotel in Duluth? Have any of you had any success on this lake?

[Capt.Blaine]

There is a camp ground on the lake. Otherwise you can stay at High Banks Resort on Fish Lake. It’s only about a 5 minute drive from there to the Island lake boat landing. Give them a call the owners name is Tim.

As far as successes a buddy of mine fished out there well over 20 times for Muskies last summer. He landed 1 that was 41 inches and had just a few follows. I went with him a couple times and we didnt have any luck. To be honest you would be better off going to the St. Louis River.

He did catch some nice smallmouth on Island Lake.

[JBMasterAngler]

I don't know about the muskies, but you'll catch lot's of pike, some good size too. There's also some good bass and walleye fishing.

[Northlander]

Muskies in the St. Louis? Theres no Muskies in the St. Louis.

Ok, maybe a few. Feel free to keep as many as you see fit. Great Smoked. (Jokin of course. Dont want any Muskie Maniacs sending me death threats) They keep taking my Crappies and eyes of my hooks.

[Down Deep]

The campgrounds are closed. There are many campsites on islands if you feel so inclined, but are on a firstcome basis. High Banks on Fish Lake has a few cabins, reserve early. Duluth has lots of hotel space. The Miller Hill Mall area on US Hwy 53 is the closest to Island.

There is a good population of musky on Island, but they run on the slim side. They are not the big brutes you find on the St. Louis River or Vermillion. Late August and in to the fall for the best result.

If I were going to travel to find musky, I would spend my time on the St. Louis as Island Lake fish still need time to grow.

[fishinfey8]

the campground is closed...i live on island and heard of a few people catching muskie but pretty rare.(1 or 2 a year) Good walleyes, and smallmouth...spring crappies are huge, if you can find em

[Magnum]

Any good boat landing recommendations?

I'd like to make a camping trip with my 5 year old son this summer. How are the island campsites? Are there any marinas or places to get gas on the water? If not, we may plan to stay in Duluth and keep camping as an option after we get there.

Thanks

Magnum

[Down Deep]

There is no gas on Island Lake. Island Lake Inn is on the edge of the HWY 4 bridge and has a gas pump, but you would have to carry a can about 1/2 a block. There are several landings surrounding the lake. I would be leary about leaving a vehicle overnight at the Abbott Road landing.

Over the years there have been lots of vehicle break-ins.

The campsites are scattered all over the lake. Most are decent, some have been well developed by campers. I used to take my kids camping out there. If you want to camp post in this space with your email and I will contact you with more specific info.

[Surface Tension]

Magnum, theres not any resorts but you can get gas at Island Lake Inn. You'll have to carry the gas can a couple hundred yards though. There are campsites on the Islands, first come first served. United Northern Sportsman has their retreat on Island lake with an open to all atmosphere, they might rent you a campsite or you might have to become a member to do so.

The Voyager Boy Scout Council has a a camp on Island Lake and they do offer campsites to the public, visit their web site to get details and a reservation.

[fishinfey8]

Best boat landing i'd say would be the Dam. Still not promising....my parents live up there and when i was growing up it seemed that there were always sheriffs driving through the parking lot. The campsites are very nice. I helped develop a lot of them when i was growin up, email me if you need more info. [email protected]

[Magnum]

Well.... I'm gonna do it. Headin' up to find a campsite for one or two nights in a few weeks. Mostly a "camping trip" for my boys with maybe a little bit of fishing.

I have a fiberglass boat, so a sand shoreline is desired for beaching the rig at a campsite. Do any of the island campsites have sandy shores? Any campsite info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Magnum

[beeonkey]

Most of them are all sand beaches. You will not have problems finding sand.

[Minnesota Fisher]

Magnum,

There's a site on Island that we take the kids to. Lot's of room, good shore fishing, nice beaching for the boat, close to one of the landings, good swimming area, the list goes on! Shoot me an email at [email protected] if you're interested. I can email you an 'X' on the map or I can send you the GPS coordinates.

Pat

[LundBob]

There right. There are no big muskies in Island Lake. Don't go there:}

http://www.clanmage.net/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album12

[Magnum]

Thanks guys for the information.

I'll be heading up Thursday for two nights. Hopefully I can find a vacant island campsite. Looks like great swimming weather for the kids

Magnum

[Magnum]

Wow, what a fun trip! HOT weather was perfect for swimming and the boys loved it. We did sneak in a few casts but found the fishing rather slow... so spent more time swimming and relaxing. We will be back again to enjoy this wonderful lake.

Here are a few fish my kids caught. Enjoy and thanks again for everyone's help to make this camping trip a success.

Magnum

[Surface Tension]

Magnum, nice to see the little guys with smiles out fishing.

I might as well put my days during the contest here.

My brother(Tim) and I had two very good days on Island Lake.

We found our eyes in 18-22' of water. Thats where the 80 degree surface temps reached down to and there we found where the layer of cooler water started. Matched that to a long bar with nice break. Crawlers and leeches slowly pulled behind spinners is what we used. It payed off too as 3 big eyes fell to the live bait. 5 lb 2oz, 4 lb both of which we registered and a 21" that was immediately released. Quality fish for any contest but put that aside. The walleye action was hot! Together we landed countless numbers of 14-15" eyes that would put an ordinary day on the water as superb. If I had to guess it be around 50 fish in that slot. Then there were the up and coming 12" eyes on top of that. A little bragging but use the info on your next trip to Island lake,, get there soon!

If there was a highlight it might be the 37" muskie that hit an eye on the way to the boat. Yep, fought to the net then measured and a quick pic and sent to on its way.

Or it might be the shore lunch the guys cooked up. Or the highlight might have been the girl holding 1st Place Trophy and check. A big congrats to Laura Billman and congrats to the everyone else, yes congrats to Skipper's Kid too AKC Tom Pfister for beating out biggest eye by 1 oz.