Island Lake Fishing near Crosby, Minnesota

• Overview

  Minnesota holds Island Lake, in Crow Wing County. Height above sea level is 1,257 feet. It runs to roughly 36 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Nearest place of any size is Crosby, 10 miles away. For a city, Minneapolis is 99 miles off. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Island Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Crow Wing County, recorded fish include largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, northern pike and pumpkinseed. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. The near bank of Island Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 69°F and January near 7°F on the long-run figures. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Open water usually runs from mid April until about late November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Plan around that when you fish Island Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Esdon Lake, 0.6 miles out. For Island Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.