Island Lake

Island Lake is small and deep: about 232 acres, five miles of shore and a maximum depth of 76 feet, with only 38% of it 15 feet deep or less. Average clarity is about 16 feet.

The DNR surveys Island together with neighboring Loon Lake as "Island-Loon," and it connects to Whitefish Lake by a channel on Whitefish's southwest shore.

Where it sits on the chain

Island and Loon sit off the southwest side of the Whitefish basin. Their channel to Whitefish puts the whole chain within reach while keeping a small-lake feel.

Deep, clear water this close to big Whitefish makes Island a favorite with owners who want both.

Fishing: what the DNR found

Walleye haven't been stocked directly into Island-Loon since 1967, but they move in from Whitefish. The one walleye caught in 2024 was 27 inches. Northern pike were average in number, averaging about 21 inches.

Island-Loon holds lake whitefish and cisco, two coldwater fish, both in average numbers. The whitefish averaged 19.3 inches and the cisco 14 inches.

What it is like to own here

Island suits buyers who want clear, deep, cool water and a quieter setting than the main basin. Steeper drop-offs can mean deeper water at the dock but steeper paths to the shore.

Ask about wave exposure on Whitefish-facing lots and about the channel, which carries boat traffic between the lakes.

Getting on the water

No public launch. Island is reached by a channel from the southwest shore of Whitefish Lake.

Rules every owner on the chain should know

• Panfish limits: since 2021 the Whitefish Chain has a special daily limit of 5 sunfish and 5 crappie, to protect panfish size.
• Northern pike: the chain is in the DNR's north-central pike zone. All pike from 22 to 26 inches must be released right away, and you may keep no more than 2 over 26 inches (possession limit 10). Check the current regulations each season.
• Aquatic invasive species: zebra mussels are present in the chain. Before you leave any access, remove plants and animals from boats and trailers, pull the plug and drain all water, including bilges, livewells and bait wells. Plan to check docks, lifts and boat hulls when equipment comes out each fall.
• Building, docks and septic: shoreland setbacks, impervious-surface limits, vegetation and septic rules are set by Crow Wing County. Confirm what a specific lot allows with the county before you buy or plan a project.

Buying on Island Lake: what to check

• Shore slope and stairs. Deep lakes often mean steeper lots; walk from the cabin to the dock before you fall for the view.
• Bottom type at the waterline: sand, rock, or soft bottom with plants. It decides how you will use the shore.
• Which way the frontage faces and how exposed it is to wind and wakes; west-facing lots get the sunsets.
• Boat access. There is no public launch on this lake, so plan where you will launch or keep a boat at your dock.
• Dock, lift and boat condition, including zebra mussel buildup, and what stays with the sale.
• Septic compliance, well, and what Crow Wing County allows for additions, garages or a new build on the lot.

Selling on Island Lake

Lake homes sell on the water as much as on the house: frontage, bottom, depth off the dock, exposure and the view all move the price, and so does how the home is presented. If you are thinking about selling, start with a private valuation. It stays between us, and you decide how far the sale travels from there.

Questions about Island Lake

More lakes on the chain