Lower (South) Island Lake
About Lower (South) Island Lake
Lower (South) Island Lake is a 320-acre lake near Cromwell in Carlton County, Minnesota. It reaches 22 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 9 feet, and has roughly 5.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.9 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 17, based on 5 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Lower (South) Island Lake
- 320 acres, up to 22 feet deep, near Cromwell
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 8.9 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 320 acres
- Max depth
- 22 ft
- Average depth
- 9 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 207 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 14
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 17
- Years of record
- 5
- Earliest
- April 11, 2015
- Latest
- May 4, 2022
- Most recent
- May 4, 2022
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Lower (South) Island Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Upper (North) Island Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Cromwell114 acres
1.2 miles away
Eagle Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Cromwell389 acres
2.5 miles away
Cross Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Cromwell107 acres
3.9 miles away
Tamarack Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Wright235 acres
5.4 miles away
Heikkila Lake
8 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cromwell107 acres
7 miles away
Cole Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Wright142 acres
7.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lower (South) Island Lake?
Lower (South) Island Lake is in Carlton County, Minnesota, near Cromwell. It covers 320 acres and reaches 22 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Lower (South) Island Lake?
Lower (South) Island Lake covers 320 acres with about 5.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 22 feet and its average depth is about 9 feet.
What fish can you catch at Lower (South) Island Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Lower (South) Island Lake?
Yes. Lower (South) Island Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Lower (South) Island Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Lower (South) Island Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Lower (South) Island Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Lower (South) Island Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Lower (South) Island Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 17, from 5 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 11, 2015 and the latest is May 4, 2022.