---
type: lake
name: "Island Lake Reservoir"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Duluth"
lake_type: "reservoir"
acres: 8001
max_depth_ft: 94
latitude: 47.0134
longitude: -92.17181
lake_score: 58
dnr_lake_id: "69037200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/island-lake-reservoir
---

# Island Lake Reservoir

Reservoir in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Duluth

- **Surface Area**: 8,001 acres
- **Max Depth**: 94 ft
- **Shoreline**: 116.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: reservoir
- **Public Access**: Public access on record
- **Lake Score**: 58/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Island Lake Reservoir is an 8,001-acre reservoir near Duluth in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 94 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 116.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.2 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. 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 walleye, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 24, based on 9 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: Public access on record
- **Managed by**: Not recorded
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 17
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Walleye**: All from 15-20" must be immediately released. Possession limit 10, only one over 20" allowed in possession.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling

## Amenities

None on record

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

spiny waterflea. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 24
- **Years of record**: 9
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-17
- **Latest**: 2013-05-17

## Nearby Lakes

- [Flowage](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/flowage) - 2.1 miles, 112 acres
- [Schultz Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/schultz-lake) - 2.4 miles, 210 acres
- [Boulder Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/boulder-lake) - 3.4 miles, 3,260 acres
- [Morgan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/morgan-lake) - 4.5 miles, 104 acres
- [Fish Lake Flowage](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/fish-lake-flowage) - 6.5 miles, 3,259 acres
- [Eagle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/eagle-lake) - 6.5 miles, 113 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.0134,-92.17181)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69037200)
- [All lakes in St. Louis County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/island-lake-reservoir)*