Island Lake Fishing near Moose Lake, Minnesota

• Overview

  The Carlton County entry here is Island Lake, in Minnesota. This is lake country bush ground. Surface area runs to roughly 282 acres, so plan for one area rather than the whole. The shoreline runs about 6.0 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. It is among the larger waters listed here for Carlton County. Moose Lake is the closest place, 16 miles off. After that come Cloquet at 20 miles and Carlton at 21 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Island Lake

  The basin drops to a measured 28 feet. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Carlton County include bluegill, yellow perch, black crappie and largemouth bass. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Island Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 7°F to 67°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Island Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. A carry of 0.9 miles from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Flower Lake sits 1.6 miles off and takes the overflow. For Island Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.