Moose

Moose Lake is a large, 1,026-acre lake with a maximum depth of 113.0 feet and is located along the U.S.-Canada border within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Access to the lake is considered difficult, with the nearest entry points located at Clearwater (#62) or North Fowl (#70) lakes with moderate portages (> 0.5 miles) and long paddles (> 6.0 miles) to reach the lake. Water temperatures and dissolved oxygen concentrations in Moose Lake have historically been suitable for lake trout during the summertime, but lake trout abundance has been declining. The lake has seen increases in walleye and smallmouth bass abundance from previous surveys. Moose Lake is currently managed for lake trout and walleye and in 2025, a standard survey was conducted to assess the current fish community. Lake trout abundance has been declining in Moose Lake and no lake trout were caught during the 2025 survey. Lake trout may still be present but at low enough levels where detection is difficult using standard survey techniques. Habitats for lake trout remained good as temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements taken in August documented ample coldwater refuge. Anglers are encouraged to report any lake trout catches to the Minnesota DNR Fisheries office in Grand Marias to help update its current status within the lake. Walleye are not native to Moose Lake and catch rates in gillnets were low at 2.0 fish/net during the 2025 survey. Walleye lengths ranged from 8.2 to 23.7 inches, with an average length of 18.1 inches. Half of the catch was greater than 20.0 inches and may be of interest to anglers looking to target the species. Aging results found nine-year classes of walleye, all naturally reproduced, with the oldest fish being aged at 14 years old. Walleye recruitment and growth appear to be good, and anglers can expect lower catch rates of quality sized walleye. Moose Lake supports other cold-water fish like burbot, cisco and lake whitefish. Burbot catch rates remained good (3.8 fish/net) and sizes ranged from 10.4 to 22.2 inches, with an average length of 18.2 inches. Cisco abundance was high from small-mesh gillnets and ranged in length from 3.4 to 11.0 inches, continuing to provide quality forage for the large predators within the lake. Lake whitefish catches were low at 1.2 fish/net and were well below the long-term median for the lake. However, lake whitefish sizes and ages were exceptional as lengths ranged from 19.0 to 24.9 inches and ages ranged between 21 and 30 years old. Anglers looking to target these coldwater fish species will have their best luck during the wintertime via ice angling. Other popular game species captured were northern pike, yellow perch and smallmouth bass. This survey was the first time that northern pike were captured, with four fish ranging from 20.4 to 29.4 inches. Based on these results, it is likely northern pike have been well established for many years. Yellow perch catches were moderate although most were small (> 4 inches) and not of any interest to anglers. Smallmouth bass were first documented during the 1980's and have been slowly increasing in abundance with a high catch rate of 3.0 fish/net in 2025. Crew members noted that smallmouth bass were also the most abundant fish caught by angling. Smallmouth bass lengths ranged from 11.3 to 19.0 inches, with an average size of 14.8 inches. Approximately 60% of the catch was greater than 16.0 inches, providing anglers with the opportunity to catch quality sized smallmouth bass. Minnesota Lakes within Cook County continue to be susceptible to aquatic invasive species introductions. Invasive species have the potential to significantly alter fish communities and overall lake health. Anglers should clean watercraft and fishing gear, drain all water, and dispose of unused bait in the trash to prevent accidental introductions.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Moose Lake on August 12th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Lake Whitefish and Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 101.7 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 34.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 98.9 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 64.8 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 5.8 degrees C (42.4 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2023 and 2024 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 21.6 feet thick. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Moose Lake on August 12th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Lake Whitefish and Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 101.7 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 34.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 98.9 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 64.8 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 5.8 degrees C (42.4 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2023 and 2024 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 21.6 feet thick. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Lake Trout, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Brook Trout in Moose. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Moose has a maximum depth of 113 feet and a mean depth of 52.2 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Moose is from 2025.

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