Island or Fish Lake

[hawk1987]

Going to fish on Fish or Island Lake this weekend and was looking for a good spot to catch some fish. Mostly just want to bring a couple kid's that have never fished before to a spot where they could catch some walleyes or northerns. Not too interested in keeping a bunch of fish, just like to keep them busy catching fish and learning to like the sport. I have been fishing Fish Lake this winter and spring, but has been slow where I have been at. Would appreciate any info, thanks.

Please email at [email protected]

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Hawk

[This message has been edited by hawk1987 (edited 06-10-2004).]

[marcpers101]

I just got back from Island lake a few days ago.. I killed the small walleyes, and picked up a few fish in the 16 inch range..There are more 12 inch walleyes in that lake than a person could fathom.. I fished the east basin where the Cloquet river enters island.. also, look for a red boat that is docked to a cabin approximately 200 yards directly out from the river.. stay in 14- 16 feet and you will nail them!

[hawk1987]

Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it very much. I have been mostly jigging w/ chub on Fish Lake, same technique OK on island?

[IrishZit]

If you are interested in showing some kids some fast panfish, action I would go for Fish Lake. Get into the bays and throw a worm over the side of the boat and it won't sit still for very long.

Sully

[Mister Twister]

Heard a rumor from someone that lives on Island Lake that when it was stalked a few years back the DNR used a strain of walleyes that don't get much bigger than 17". Never heard this before, but the fish over that length are a few and far between. The smaller ones are good eating and plenty to be caught. Just woundering if anyone else has heard of this "rural/DNR legend"?

[marcpers101]

I have not heard about this mutant walleye, but after fishing this lake for the first time, there is definitely something strange with the 12 inchers all over. We seriously could not keep the baby walleyes off.. maybe the deeper holes will hole the bigger fish, but the growth in that lake must be slow..? I like the DNR mutant walleye theory!

[Surface Tension]

Island lake hasn't been stocked with walleyes for over 20 years. Its good to see a strong year class coming up and those 12"ers will be a bonanza in a few years.
Its also one of the best walleye lakes we have around here for size and numbers.
Its big and it offers a zillion patterns to fish. You can't go wrong with Golden Shiners for bait there. I'd concentrate on the bay Hay Creek feed into or the shallower mid lake humps and shorelines still.

[hawk1987]

I appreciate all of the insight. I just built a house out near Island and Fish Lakes last fall and have been looking forward to getting to know the lakes again. My father and I fished these lakes a bunch,years ago, but I have not had the time to fish much the last 10 years and plan to do more now that I live out there. I was happy to find this forum to get going again. Thanks again!!

[hawk1987]

Surface Tension, I am not familiar with Hay Creek, but would you let me know if it is on the East or West Basin??

[email protected]

[Surface Tension]

Hay Creek crosses Abbott road just south of the access.

[hawk1987]

Gotcha!! Thanks again ST.

[bottomfeeder]

I've been up to Boulder a couple times this summer. We caught odles and odles of 12inchers there as well. Strange.