Island River

Lake County, Minnesota — DOW #38028900

60 Surveys

81.13

Acres

7 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Island River. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-05-22	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.8	0.23 lb	2
2025-06-23	Standard gill nets	33.8 (above normal)	3.3 – 18.3	0.12 lb	135
2017-08-28	Standard trap nets	2.9 (normal)	0.5 – 3.8	0.14 lb	26
2017-08-28	1/4-in trap nets	3.8	—	—	23
2017-08-28	Standard gill nets	25.3 (above normal)	3.3 – 18.3	0.18 lb	101
2009-08-31	Standard trap nets	4.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.8	0.11 lb	43
2009-08-31	1/4-in trap nets	2.0	—	—	12
2009-08-31	Standard gill nets	48.0 (above normal)	3.3 – 18.3	0.16 lb	144

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-05-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.8	5.29 lb	1
2025-06-23	Standard gill nets	4.5 (normal)	2.3 – 9.6	1.07 lb	18
2017-08-28	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	2.3 – 9.6	0.94 lb	15
2017-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 1.8	1.57 lb	7
2017-08-28	1/4-in trap nets	0.5	—	0.09 lb	3
2009-08-31	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	2.3 – 9.6	1.37 lb	10
2009-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.8	0.20 lb	1
2009-08-31	1/4-in trap nets	0.2	—	0.02 lb	1

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-05-22	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.9 – 4.5	1.73 lb	6
2025-06-23	Standard gill nets	10.5 (normal)	5.3 – 22.1	0.98 lb	42
2017-08-28	1/4-in trap nets	0.2	—	—	1
2017-08-28	Standard gill nets	11.5 (normal)	5.3 – 22.1	1.74 lb	46
2017-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.9 (below normal)	0.9 – 4.5	2.21 lb	8
2009-08-31	1/4-in trap nets	0.7	—	—	4
2009-08-31	Standard gill nets	11.3 (normal)	5.3 – 22.1	1.67 lb	34
2009-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	0.9 – 4.5	1.20 lb	7

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-05-22	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	0.69 lb	8
2025-06-23	Standard gill nets	6.8 (normal)	3.0 – 9.0	4.17 lb	27
2017-08-28	Standard gill nets	2.8 (below normal)	3.0 – 9.0	2.99 lb	11
2017-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	1.23 lb	3
2017-08-28	1/4-in trap nets	0.2	—	—	1
2009-08-31	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	3.0 – 9.0	4.90 lb	9
2009-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	1.36 lb	6

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-05-22	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.8	0.57 lb	6
2025-06-23	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.7 – 5.0	0.05 lb	3
2017-08-28	1/4-in trap nets	14.8	—	0.03 lb	89
2017-08-28	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	0.7 – 5.0	0.87 lb	15
2017-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.8	0.44 lb	3
2009-08-31	1/4-in trap nets	32.8	—	—	197
2009-08-31	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	0.7 – 5.0	0.76 lb	7
2009-08-31	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.7 – 3.8	0.85 lb	10

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2025-06-23	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.11 lb	1
2017-08-28	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.27 lb	2
2017-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.2	0.04 lb	2
2017-08-28	1/4-in trap nets	0.7	—	—	4
2009-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.2	0.09 lb	1
2009-08-31	1/4-in trap nets	0.2	—	—	1

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2025-06-23	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.05 lb	2
2017-08-28	1/4-in trap nets	1.5	—	—	9
2017-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.4 – 4.5	0.05 lb	6
2009-08-31	1/4-in trap nets	1.8	—	—	11
2009-08-31	Standard trap nets	2.2 (normal)	0.4 – 4.5	0.05 lb	20

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-08-28	1/4-in trap nets	0.3	—	2

Burbot

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.17 lb	1

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-08-28	1/4-in trap nets	0.2	—	1
2009-08-31	1/4-in trap nets	0.2	—	1

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-08-28	1/4-in trap nets	0.5	—	3

Trout-Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-08-28	1/4-in trap nets	0.2	—	1

Tadpole Madtom

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2009-08-31	1/4-in trap nets	0.2	—	0.04 lb	1

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2009-08-31	1/4-in trap nets	1.8	—	11

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2009-08-31	1/4-in trap nets	0.2	—	1

Logperch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2009-08-31	1/4-in trap nets	0.3	—	2

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

Entry Point 24

Ely, MN

★ 4.7

Harbor Kayak & Paddleboard Rental

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 393-4545

★ 5

Knife River Marina

Knife River, MN

(218) 834-6076

★ 4.7

Landing Sports Bar

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-5191

★ 4.6

Leroy's Repair

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-0743

★ 4.6

Meierhoff Marine

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 341-4588

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Island River

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Island River.

The Moose Bay Co

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-6285

Bell Sheep Homestead

Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 226-4614

Bob's Cabins On Lake Superior

Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 834-4583

Breezy Point Cabins On Lake Superior

Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 389-4522

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Island River. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Crappie Burbot Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Walleye White Sucker Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Island River

Boreal Triangle Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 830-2148

Boundary Waters Fishing Guide

Fishing Guide

(218) 235-9595

Duluth Superior Charter Fishing with Capt Paul Morris aboard Freedom II

Fishing Guide

(218) 428-5562

Ely Ice Fishing Company

Fishing Guide

(218) 365-3466

James Addiction Charter Fishing

Fishing Guide

(218) 213-8816

Muskie Doom Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 491-3277

View all 8 guides →

Other Lakes in Lake County

Plan Your Trip to Island River

Weather forecast for Island River — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 47.7692°N, 91.2371°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Island River

DNR Fish Surveys

Yellow Perch

Walleye

White Sucker

Northern Pike

Black Crappie

Rock Bass

Pumpkinseed

Largemouth Bass

Burbot

Johnny Darter

Golden Shiner

Trout-Perch

Tadpole Madtom

BNS

Bluntnose Minnow

Logperch

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Agate Bay Outfitters LLC

Boundary Waters Outfitters

Canadian Border Outfitters

Granite Gear Inc

North Country Canoe Outfitters

Red Rock Wilderness Store

Seagren's Home Hardware Outdoors

Veness Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

Entry Point 24

Harbor Kayak & Paddleboard Rental

Knife River Marina

Landing Sports Bar

Leroy's Repair

Meierhoff Marine

Resorts & Lodges Near Island River

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Island River

Other Lakes in Lake County

Abinodji

Adams

Adventure

Ahmakose

Ahsub

Alger

Plan Your Trip to Island River