top of page

2025 Rewind and 2026 Preview

Fishing Contest
Justin Stremski 30" northern

Justin Stremski 30" northern

Justin Stremski 30" northern

Liam M with Morgan Buetow

Liam M with Morgan Buetow

Liam M with Morgan Buetow

Emma S.

Emma S.

Emma S.

Henry B with Uncle Morgan

Henry B with Uncle Morgan

Henry B with Uncle Morgan

Emma, Liam, Henry, Rachel, Tom

Emma, Liam, Henry, Rachel, Tom

Emma, Liam, Henry, Rachel, Tom

Liam B

Liam B

Liam B

2026 Island Mud Lake

Fishing Contest

Date:   July 3, 2026

When: 7am to 3pm;

4pm awards presentation

Enter:  Call or text Jerry Finnerty at

612-987-2275 with anglers'

names and ages

Rules:

  • There are two contest divisions:

    • Adult (age 15+).

    • Junior (age 14 and under).

  • Each angler may register multiple fish per species: Northern, Bass and Walleye; Juniors can also submit Panfish (Crappie / Sunfish).

    • Remember the “slot” restrictions apply for Northerns between 22” & 26”.

    • However, you still can register your catch with the appropriate photo and info!

    • You are encouraged to keep the smaller Northerns to promote a healthier fish population.

  • Prizes are awarded for the largest fish by species in each division.

How to Register a Catch:

  • Text the following to Jerry at

612-987-2275:

  1. Anglers' name and age

  2. Description (species & length) of the fish

  3. Photo of the fish clearly displaying its length next to a tape measure

  4. Photo of angler holding the fish

 

A couple of years ago, we began officially collecting walleye data. We encourage you to CLICK HERE to report any walleyes you catch, as this helps us forward the information to DNR. We will also maintain an updated "walleye count" for our own records.​

2025 Winners (July 5, 2025)

​​​​Adult

  • Walleye - None caught this year

  • Northern - 30" by Justin Stremski

  • Bass - 18" by Rachel Schelling 

Youth

  • Crappie - 14" by Emma S. (12)

  • Northern - 28.5" by Liam M. (11)

  • Bass - 15" by Henry B. (13)

July 4th Boat Parade

Show off your holiday spirit on the water. Grab your American flag, decorate your pontoon, fishing boat, or speed boat and join the parade! Festive outfits and music are encouraged, though not required. Let’s see if we can top last year’s record turnout! 

•  Saturday, July 4, 2026

•  Gather near the public access around 12:45pm.

•  Parade begins at 1:00pm.

If you're watching from the dock, cheer our boaters to join the celebration.

IMG_1026_edited.jpg
July 4th Boat Parade

2026 Annual Picnic and Board Meeting

2026 Annual Picnic and Board Meeting

Get to know your lake neighbors and learn more about IMLPOA activities. 
• When: Saturday, July 25th.
• Where: Levi’s Field on Walworth Road. 
• When: Social time and games begin at 4:00pm. 
• Potluck meal begins at 5:00pm. 
• Annual meeting follows meal. 

The Association will provide meat, buns, chips, and water. Please bring a dish to share, your preferred beverage, and lawn chairs.We also invite you to bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation for the Emily Food Shelf. All cash donations collected will be matched (up to $200) by the Association. 

View last year's 2025 Board Meeting Minutes including information more on the Emily Food Shelf.

Ice Cream Day on the Lake

Ice Cream Day

The 2026 Ice Cream Social will be on

August 8, 2026 from 1pm to 4pm (or until the ice cream is gone). Check back this Summer for more information on the location.

             

In 2025, several adults and more than 20 children and teens came by boat, pontoon, kayak, paddleboat, and paddleboard to reach The Ice Cream Social Pontoon, parked from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm near the sandbar on  Island Lake! The weather was glorious and the ice cream cold... all in all an awesome day!

Non-Sanctioned Fun!!!

Music at the End of the Road

You’re invited to a relaxed lakeside concert — featuring piano solos, duets, and cello-piano pieces.

 

This 5th Annual Labor Day concert is sponsored by Donna Hastings and Jonathan Geiger.

• When: 3 to 5pm; Sept. 5, 2026.

• Where: 36205 Whitewater Road.

• Dress: lake-casual.

• Bring: a chair, shareable snacks or your favorite

 beverage.

RSVP to Donna Hastings at 701-330-2586

(call/text) or donnah701@gmail.com.

Freewill donations support future student concerts.

Non-Sanctioned Fun
IMG_1285_edited_edited.jpg

Buetow-Staples Hunters' Boohay and Winter Fishing Contest

Last November, Morgan and Cullum Buetow-Staples sponsored a tasty Hunters' Booyah. It was chance for cabin neighbors and fellow hunters to swap stories about the lake, hunting and the woods. Morgan and Cullum are gauging interest for a 2026 Hunters' Booyah. Please connect with Morgan, if you're interest.

On January 16, 2026, the first annual Buetow-Staples Bragging Rights ice Fishing Contest

was held on Island and Mud Lakes. It was all about

friendly competition and fun—and yes, prizes for

the biggest fish by species.

 

A traveling trophy (created by Chuck Pettipiece)

was also awarded for the overall biggest fish.

Winners were celebrated during potluck at the

Swatosch's cabin. 

 

The winners were:

  • 12" Crappie - Marty Erdman

(Swatosch/Miller party).

  • 31" Northern & Traveling Trophy - Jason Leighton-Johnson (Nordahl party).

 

Look for information this Winter about the 2026/2027 Winter Fishing Contest.

IMG_3647

IMG_3647

IMG_4905

IMG_4905

IMG_6616

IMG_6616

IMG_7270

IMG_7270

IMG_5327

IMG_5327

IMG_9946

IMG_9946

IMG_0363

IMG_0363

IMG_1430

IMG_1430

© 2026 IMLPOA, Crow Wing County, MN

bottom of page