---
type: lake
name: "Island Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Deer River"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 285
max_depth_ft: 31
latitude: 47.43269
longitude: -93.72238
lake_score: 54
dnr_lake_id: "31075400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/island-lake-deer-river
---

# Island Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Deer River

- **Surface Area**: 285 acres
- **Max Depth**: 31 ft
- **Shoreline**: 5.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 54/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Island Lake is a 285-acre lake near Deer River in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 31 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.2 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 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. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Cottonwood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/cottonwood-lake) - 1.2 miles, 133 acres
- [Fawn Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/fawn-lake) - 1.9 miles, 190 acres
- [Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/moose-lake) - 2.9 miles, 1,273 acres
- [Little Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-moose-lake) - 3.4 miles, 289 acres
- [Little Bowstring Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-bowstring-lake) - 4.2 miles, 326 acres
- [Amen Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/amen-lake) - 4.2 miles, 215 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.43269,-93.72238)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31075400)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/island-lake-deer-river)*