Three Island

Itasca County

Near Marcell

DOW: 31045100

BluegillGood · 72PumpkinseedGood · 69Northern PikeGood · 60

A 68-acre lake near Marcell in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1979.

Fish Species (6)

Bluegill

Good · 72

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 108.5 per trap net · typical 7.9–37.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 1979	108.50	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per trap net · typical 1.1–4.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 1979	2.50	-	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 60

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.11 lbs

Catch rate: 9.0 per gill net · typical 2–8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 1979	9.00	-	2.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 27, 1979	1.00	-	1.31 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Good · 54

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.25 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 1–6.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 1979	0.25	-	1.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

4.00 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.3–0.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 1979	0.50	-	4.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 1979	2.75	-	1.50 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 27, 1979	4.00	-	0.88 lbs	Standard gill nets

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Crappie

10 combined total

Sunfish

20 combined total

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Biologist Notes

June 27, 1979(Resort portage in. Obs. loons on lk, few (mallards, much bvr activity, also obs. cow (moose swmmng in lk. Five lrg snppng turtles (cght in trpnts, al…

(Resort portage in. Obs. loons on lk, few (mallards, much bvr activity, also obs. cow (moose swmmng in lk. Five lrg snppng turtles (cght in trpnts, also saw Grt Blue Herons (frequently on lake. N Pike, Sucker and Bluegill populations are at quite high levels. All other fish populations are within normal limits for this type of lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Three Island?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Walleye in Three Island. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Three Island?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Three Island. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Three Island?

Three Island has a maximum depth of 28 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Three Island last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Three Island is from 1979. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Three Island have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Three Island in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Three Island?

No — Three Island has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide sunfish limit is: 20 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.