Farm Island Lake is a lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota. Farm Island Lake covers about 2,003 acres, reaches a recorded 51 feet and holds about 34,671 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Farm Island Lake Affect Fishing
Farm Island Lake is too large to fish all at once, so pick one group of coves and points and stay there long enough to learn what the fish are using.
Fish and Baits at Farm Island Lake
Fish reported from Farm Island Lake include banded killifish, bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook silverside, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, cisco, common shiner, fathead minnow, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, logperch, mimic shiner, mottled sculpin, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, sand shiner, smallmouth bass, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Farm Island, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth, and work a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait across rock and firm points for smallmouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Farm Island, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill and pumpkinseed, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at Farm Island, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Farm Island, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads
For bottom fishing at Farm Island, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.
Other Reported Fish
Other choices at Farm Island include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
Rock Bass
At Farm Island, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
Cisco
For other cold-water fish at Farm Island, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling.
How the Seasons Change Farm Island Lake
Spring at Farm Island is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Farm Island can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Farm Island Lake
On a first trip to Farm Island, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.
Useful Tackle for Farm Island Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Farm Island, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Farm Island Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 2,003-acre Farm Island Lake?
At Farm Island, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.
Should anglers fish the 51-foot deep end of Farm Island Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Farm Island is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 34,671 acre-foot storage figure mean at Farm Island Lake?
At Farm Island, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.