Fishing Island Lake

Island Lake offers a solid mixed-bag fishery in a relatively pristine 107-acre setting 12 miles north of Manistique. The Largemouth Bass population has high catch rates but slow growth, taking 5-6 years to reach the 14-inch minimum, making this an excellent lake for practicing techniques on willing medium-sized fish. Bluegill fishing shows interesting age-related patterns - younger fish (ages 3-4) grow below state average while older fish (ages 5-6) grow well above average, suggesting fishing pressure removes fish as they reach quality size. Only 16% of Bluegill exceed 6 inches, but those that do can reach 10 inches. Pumpkinseed provide a better size structure with 46% over 6 inches and an average length of 6.1 inches. The lake stratifies at 15 feet with good oxygen to that depth in summer, providing thermal refuge for cool-water species. Northern Pike are uncommon but good-sized when caught (21-24 inches), and the connected Dodge Lake system produced Michigan's current state record Northern Pike. The lake's high transparency (14-foot Secchi depth) and low productivity limit standing crop to about 33 pounds per acre. Coarse rocky substrate along 76% of the shoreline provides good spawning habitat for lithophilic species, while the 2.4-acre undeveloped island adds structural diversity. Submerged woody habitat is below regional average at only 99 logs per mile, potentially limiting fish holding areas and contributing to the relatively simple fish community that notably lacks bottom-dwelling species like suckers. Access is via neighboring Dodge Lake's public launch. Anglers should focus on nearshore structure and be aware that invasive Phragmites has been documented, while the threat of Zebra Mussel introduction looms given their recent appearance in nearby Indian Lake.