Please contact the local fisheries management biologist for current information.
Five Island Lake is a 973-acre lake located near Emmetsburg in Palo Alto County, Iowa. Maximum depth is 23.7 feet. An electrofishing survey was conducted on May 28, 2025, as part of the comprehensive survey process. Channel Catfish (22.4 fish/hour) and Yellow Bass (65.6 fish/hour) were abundant in the electrofishing survey and should offer favorable angling opportunities. Channel Catfish length averaged 20.5 inches and ranged from 17.1 to 25.0 inches. Channel Catfish weight averaged 2.9 pounds and ranged from 1.3 to 6.5 pounds. Mean relative weight of Channel Catfish was 88, meaning that the average fish was somewhat skinny. Yellow Bass length averaged 7.9 inches, ranging from 4.3 to 10.8 inches–the upper end of this range qualifies for Iowa Master Angler status! Yellow Bass weight averaged 0.3 pounds and ranged from 0.04 to 0.7 pounds. Mean relative weight of Yellow Bass was a notable 112, meaning that Yellow Bass in Five Island Lake were heavy for their length. Abundant nongame species included Bigmouth Buffalo (40 fish/hour) and Common Carp (20 fish/hour). Largemouth Bass (13.6 fish/hour) and Bluegill (10.4 fish/hour) were moderately abundant and should provide decent angling opportunities. Largemouth Bass length averaged 8.9 inches and ranged from 4.5 to 20 inches. Largemouth Bass weight averaged 0.7 pounds, ranging from 0.1 to 4.9 pounds. Mean relative weight of Largemouth Bass was 105, meaning that the average fish had a healthy weight for its length. Bluegill length averaged 6.5 inches and ranged from 2.1 to 7.9 inches. Bluegill weight averaged 0.4 pounds and ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 pounds. Mean relative weight of Bluegills was an excellent 132, meaning that Bluegills in Five Island Lake were very heavy for their length. Fish species observed in low abundance included Green Sunfish (N = 1, length = 5.4 inches, weight = 0.12 pounds), Northern Pike (N = 3, length range = 10.4–31.0 inches, weight range = 0.2–6.8 pounds), Walleye (N = 3, length range = 7.4–9.1 inches, weight range = 0.2–0.3 pounds), Yellow Bullhead (N = 1, length = 6.4 inches, weight = 0.18 pounds), and Yellow Perch (N = 12, length range = 4.8–7.6 inches, weight range = 0.04–0.2 pounds). No Black Crappies were sampled in the electrofishing survey. A hoop-net survey was conducted at Five Island Lake on July 7–17, 2025, as part of the Iowa DNR comprehensive survey protocol. Overall, the hoop-net survey confirmed some of the key trends observed in the electrofishing survey. A major takeaway for anglers is that Five Island Lake has an abundant population of Channel Catfish between 16 and 27 inches. Although these fish have comparatively low relative weights—meaning that they are skinny for their length, likely as a result of intraspecific competition or poor food availability—they should provide an exciting angling opportunity in Five Island Lake. Indeed, Five Island Lake ranks among the best lakes for Channel Catfish fishing in northwest Iowa based on DNR data. As in the electrofishing survey, Channel Catfish were highly abundant in hoop nets (N = 241 total, 24.1 fish/series-night) and represented nearly 90 percent of the fish captured with this gear type. Channel Catfish length averaged 21.9 inches and ranged from 16.4 to 27 inches in the hoop-net survey. Channel Catfish weight averaged 3.2 pounds and ranged from 1 to 6.5 pounds. Mean relative weight of Channel Catfish was 80 overall—and it was 80 for small fish (16.4–19.93 inches), 80 for medium-sized fish (>19.93–23.47 inches), and 81 for large fish (>23.47–27 inches). Black Crappies were present but not particularly abundant in hoop nets (2.2 fish/series-night). Black Crappie length averaged 7.1 inches and ranged from 5.7 to 9.0 inches. Black Crappie weight averaged 0.2 pounds and ranged from 0.1 to 0.4 pounds. Mean relative weight of Black Crappies was 102, indicating that fish were in excellent condition and had considerable weight relative to their length. Fish species observed in low abundance in the hoop-net survey included Bigmouth Buffalo (N = 1, length = 12.5 inches, weight = 1.0 pounds), Black Bullhead (N = 2, length range = 10.2–10.8 inches, weight range = 0.6–0.6 pounds), Flathead Catfish (N = 1, length = 37.2 inches, weight = 27.5 pounds), Northern Pike (N = 1, length = 30 inches), and Walleye (N = 1, length = 27.5 inches, weight = 7.0 pounds). The origins of the Flathead Catfish are unknown, but this species has been documented multiple times in Five Island Lake and may provide an exciting angling opportunity for a large predator species. A fyke-net survey was performed at Five Island Lake on September 18–19, 2025, as part of the Iowa DNR comprehensive survey protocol. The most abundant species captured was Bluegill (N = 287, 28.7 fish/net-night). Bluegills were generally small, averaging 3.2 inches and ranging in size from 1.5 to 8.5 inches. Bluegill weight averaged 0.3 pounds, ranging from 0.08 to 0.58 pounds. Other fish species that were captured had relatively low abundances. These species included Bigmouth Buffalo (N = 2, length range = 13.1–14.8 inches, weight range = 1.3–1.8 pounds), Black Crappie (N = 37, length range = 3.1–10 inches, weight range = 0.2–0.6 pounds), Channel Catfish (N = 13, length range = 19.6–24.8 inches, weight range = 1.8–5.9 pounds), Common Carp (N = 20, length range = 12.2–25.0 inches, weight range = 1.2–7.0 pounds), Northern Pike (N = 11, length range = 22.4–33.5 inches, 2.3–8.6 pounds), Walleye (N = 6, length range = 11.3–26.7 inches, weight range = 0.4–6.9 pounds), White Crappie (N = 12, length range = 7.4–8.9 inches, weight range = 0.2–0.4 pounds), Yellow Bullhead (N = 1, length = 9.9 inches, weight = 0.6 pounds), and Yellow Perch (N = 14, length range = 3.2–8.2 inches, weight range = 0.1–0.3 pounds). Overall, Five Island Lake offers anglers a fairly balanced fish community with a wide variety of species to catch. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Iowa’s fisheries, please contact Andrew Carlson, Fisheries Biologist, at andrew.carlson@dnr.iowa.gov or (712) 330-3706. - Last updated on 10/22/2025.
In nearly all cases, Iowa fish are safe to eat. Cleaning and/or preparing the meal causes most of the problems regarding taste or color of fish. Like all living creatures, fish are susceptible to diseases, parasites, and other naturally occurring conditions in the water. If you suspect your fish is affected by any of these conditions, do not eat it. Consider eating smaller and younger fish which usually have lower levels of contaminants than larger ones. Most contaminants accumulate in larger, older fish. For additional information, check out our resources for eating and cooking Iowa caught fish.
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The summaries listed below are a partial listing provided for your benefit. Familiarize yourself with the complete Fishing Regulations here: Iowa DNR Fishing Regulations and Laws.