The island was a spawning area for the elusive rock bass and if the island were named Rock Bass Island, they would be fished to extinction.
So, in an effort to scare fishermen away, it was named Rattlesnake Island.
The fact that there were rattlesnakes on the island did not sway the naming of the island.
One other thought, neighboring Sleepers Island, formerly, Little Rattlesnake Island, was not a nursery for young rattlesnakes.
