Island (Athabasca)

Island Lake in Athabasca County, Alberta

This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version

Island Lake is a 1,931-acre natural lake located in Athabasca County approximately 20 kilometers northwest of the Town of Athabasca along Highway 2, featuring topographically interesting terrain with numerous islands and bays that give the lake its distinctive character and name. The lake consists of a shallow main basin where maximum depths reach about 39 feet and most areas measure less than 20 feet deep, connected to a smaller northern basin by a narrow channel where depths plunge to an impressive 59 feet, creating diverse aquatic habitat throughout the waterbody. With exceptional water clarity averaging 9 feet of visibility and moderate water quality classified as mesotrophic, Island Lake supports diverse fish populations including yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, and burbot, making it a popular fishing destination that produced Alberta's size record yellow perch in 1982 weighing 2 pounds 15.5 ounces. The shallow main basin features dense beds of aquatic vegetation providing excellent cover and spawning habitat for fish, while the lake's 12.5 miles of moderately developed shoreline is home to the incorporated Summer Villages of Island Lake and Island Lake South established in 1957 and 1983 respectively, with almost all residential development concentrated on the western shore consisting of year-round residences and seasonal cottages accessed via several public boat launches and beach areas perfect for swimming, power boating, water skiing, canoeing, and ice fishing during winter months when solid ice forms across the entire surface.

Island Lake sits in the heart of northern Alberta's boreal forest just 90 minutes north of Edmonton, offering visitors authentic wilderness experiences combined with the welcoming hospitality of the historic Town of Athabasca located on the banks of the mighty Athabasca River. The region features rich cultural and settlement history explored at the Athabasca Archives, the Amber Valley Museum celebrating Black pioneer heritage, and the historic Athabasca Train Station that survived a massive 1913 fire and stands as one of Alberta's few remaining pre-World War I rural railway stations. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the extensive 17.5-kilometer Muskeg Creek Walking Trails system featuring woodland routes through ravines with interpretive signs and opportunities to spot beavers, rare bird species, and occasionally moose, or embark on guided jet boat tours with Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventures for five-hour expeditions down the Athabasca River showcasing wildlife and fur trade history. The area offers exceptional fishing on the Athabasca River for goldeye, Rocky Mountain whitefish, northern pike, walleye, grayling and burbot accessible from Poacher's Landing, championship golf at the scenic Athabasca Golf and Country Club nestled in the boreal forest river valley, and easy access to numerous other recreational lakes including Baptiste Lake, Hope Lake, Jackfish Lake, North Buck Lake and Long Lake all featuring sandy beaches, camping facilities, and boat launches. Winter visitors enjoy world-class cross-country skiing on groomed Muskeg Creek Trails, snowmobiling on extensive trail networks, stargazing under dark boreal skies undisturbed by urban light pollution, and watching for Northern Lights dancing across the northern horizon, making Athabasca County an ideal year-round destination for families seeking authentic northern Alberta outdoor adventures.

This exquisite laser-cut wooden lake map of Island Lake would make a breathtaking focal point for your northern Alberta cabin, lake home, or any space celebrating your connection to the boreal wilderness and the pristine waters of Athabasca County. The intricate multi-layered design beautifully captures the lake's distinctive topography with its numerous namesake islands dotting the surface, the shallow main basin contrasting dramatically with the deep northern basin plunging to 59 feet, the narrow connecting channel, and the intimate bays along 12.5 miles of forested shoreline that make this such a beloved recreational destination. With its natural wood top layer and gradient blue water layers transitioning from light to dark blue representing the varying depths, this handcrafted piece creates sophisticated rustic elegance that perfectly complements traditional Canadian cabin decor, contemporary lakeside interiors, or classic boreal forest lodge aesthetics. Whether you're celebrating the Alberta record yellow perch caught here in 1982, memorable summer days swimming and boating among the islands, successful fishing expeditions landing walleye and pike, peaceful winter ice fishing trips, or simply the tranquil beauty of this northern gem surrounded by rolling hills and wildlife-filled forests, this personalized wooden map becomes a treasured centerpiece and makes an exceptional gift for anglers, cottage owners, lake enthusiasts, or anyone who cherishes their memories of Island Lake and the welcoming spirit of Athabasca County's lake country paradise.

Dimensions:

Small: 8"x12"

Medium: 12"x18"

Large: 16"x24"

Extra Large: 20"x30"

XX Large: 24"x36"

Gigantic 30"x45"

HD Extra Large: 20"x30" - 15 Layers

HD XX Large: 24"x36" - 15 Layers

HD Gigantic 30"x45" - 15 Layers

The difference between standard and HD maps is the number of layers. Standard maps have 1 land layer and 7 water layers. " The HD lake maps have 1 land layer and 14 water layers. So twice the detail. The HD Maps are limited to Extra Large, " XX Large, and Gigantic sizes only. On the smaller sizes the depth change of the wood is too extreme and you end up losing detail."