Moon

Moon Lake is a 126-acre natural lake located just southeast of Brandon in western Douglas County. Maximum depth is 38.0 feet. Average depth is estimated at 19.0 feet due to steep banks and a rapid drop off along much of the north, west, and south shorelines. Water quality is very good. Summer water clarity measurements have exceeded 15.0 feet over the past four years. Most aquatic plant growth occurs in the shallower northeast and southeast areas of the lake. A standard fisheries survey was completed in 2023 to evaluate abundance and size distribution of gamefish populations. Survey methodology included a spring electrofishing survey, completed May 31, to effectively sample the Largemouth Bass population. The gill netting component of the standard survey was completed June 26-28. During the spring of 2022 a special regulation was implemented that reduced the daily sunfish limit from 20 down to 5. As an evaluation requirement of this special regulation, trap netting was conducted during the spring (May 15-17) when panfish are more susceptible to capture. These sampling practices will be standard protocol for future fisheries surveys on Moon Lake. Largemouth Bass are abundant in Moon Lake. Electrofishing catch rates of Largemouth Bass were the third highest on record. Largemouth Bass growth is slow and on average it takes seven years for bass to reach 12.0 inches. Bass size structure on Moon Lake is poor. Fifty-nine percent of the bass were under 12.0 inches and the largest bass observed from all sampling types was 17.2 inches. Bluegill catch rates were moderate in 2023. Many large Bluegill were observed during the survey. Sixty nine percent of the Bluegill were over 8 inches in length. Growth rates of Bluegill in Moon Lake are fast and 6 year old fish averaged almost 8.5 inches in length. The largest Bluegill observed in the survey was over 10.5 inches. Black Crappie catch rates were high and a large variety of sizes were observed in the survey. Approximately 64% of the fish were greater than 10 inches in length. Black Crappie growth rates are moderate; average length of age 4 fish was 10 inches. The largest Black Crappie in the sample was 14.8 inches. After a decline from 2006 through 2017, Northern Pike catch rates increased to match the record high 15.2 fish/gill net. Average size of pike captures in 2023 remained modest at 17.7 inches. The largest pike capture measured 25.6 inches. Northern Pike catches have varied greatly over time, likely due to overabundance and competition with Largemouth Bass. Walleye are present at low density after the Brandon Fins and Feathers Club and shoreland property owners stocked Walleyes from 2012 through 2020. Walleye stocking was discontinued after 2020 based on poor returns and concerns that the continued addition of fish not historically present in Moon Lake may degrade the established quality Bluegill fishery. Yellow perch captures (21.0/gill net) were the highest ever recorded on Moon Lake. Growth rates are moderate; average length of age-5 fish was over 8.5 inches. The perch population does appear to have the growth potential to support some modest harvest. Seventeen percent of perch captured in gill nets were 10.0 inches and larger. The largest Yellow Perch in the sample was 12.5 inches and 10 years old. Other species sampled during the 2023 survey included Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, and White Sucker. The next standard lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2029. Moon Lake was designated as an infested water after the discovery of zebra mussels in 2023. Recreational users should take necessary precautions to prevent further spread of invasive species. Drain all water and remove all aquatic vegetation from your boat and trailer when leaving any body of water.

A targeted survey was completed in the spring of 2022 on Moon Lake to assess the Bluegill and Black Crappie populations. A special regulation that reduced the daily sunfish limit from 20 down to 5 was also implemented in the spring of 2022. The goal of this new regulation is to maintain or increase the average size of Bluegill. This survey will be used to help evaluate effects of the regulation on the Bluegill population. Bluegill catch rates were moderate, and many large Bluegill were observed. Fifty eight percent of the Bluegill were over 8 inches in length. Growth rates of Bluegill in Moon Lake are fast and 6 year old Bluegill averaged almost 9 inches in length. The largest Bluegill observed in the survey was over 10 inches. Black Crappie catch rates were high and a large variety of sizes were observed in the survey. Approximately 32% of the fish were greater than 10 inches in length. Black Crappie growth rates are moderate; average length of age 4 fish was almost 10 inches. The largest Black Crappie in the sample was 14 inches and the oldest crappie was 11 years old. Quality fishing opportunities exist for multiple species in Moon Lake. Anglers are encouraged to practice selective harvest to help sustain the quality of the fishery. Selective harvest encourages the release of larger fish while promoting harvest of more abundant smaller fish. Releasing medium to large fish can help restore and maintain fish community balance, as well as increase opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Moon Lake is not currently known to have any invasive species. Recreational users should take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of invasive species. Drain all water and remove all aquatic vegetation from your boat and trailer when leaving any body of water.

Moon Lake is a 126-acre, natural lake located just east of Brandon in western Douglas County. Maximum depth is 38.0 feet. Average depth is estimated at 19.0 feet due to steep banks and rapid drop off along much of north, west, and south shorelines. Water quality is very good. Summer water clarity measurements have exceeded 15.0 feet over the past four years. Most aquatic plant growth occurs in shallower, northeast and southeast areas of the lake. A standard lake survey was completed in 2017 to gain updated estimates of fish abundance and size structure of gamefish populations. Survey methodology included a spring electrofishing survey, completed May 25, to effectively sample the Largemouth Bass population. The netting component of the standard survey was completed June 26-29. Netting efforts included nine trap net and six gill net sets. Largemouth Bass proved to be abundant. One hundred and sixty-six bass were caught during one lap around the shoreline with the electrofishing boat. Captures ranged from 5.0 inches to 17.1 inches in length and averaged 10.3 inches. The relatively small average size was attributable to a high proportion of three-year-old fish making up the population sample. Bass growth is below average. Anglers are encouraged to harvest the surplus of 12.0 inch and smaller bass. Bluegill catch rates have been highly variable among surveys. Catches during the 2017 survey were low in possible response to the abundance of their primary predator, Largemouth Bass. Age distribution of catches extended to age 12. While not abundant at present, due to the broad age structure of catches, average size captured in trap nets was 6.2 inches. Thirty-four percent of those captures were 8.0 inches and larger. Both Black and White Crappie populations occur in Moon Lake. Black Crappie catches have exceeded that of White Crappies. Catch rates of both were modest. Age assignments of Black Crappie captures extended to age 8, thus with advanced age and growth, crappies do contribute to the fishery. The largest Black Crappie caught measured 11.1 inches. Northern Pike catch rates have progressively declined from and excessively high catch of 15.2 pike/gill net in 2006 to 6.0 pike/gill net. Average size of pike captures in 2017 remained modest at 18.6 inches. The largest pike capture measured 27.2 inches. Yellow perch captures were modest as anticipated given their importance to the diet of Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye. The perch population does appear to have the growth potential to support some modest harvest. Nineteen percent of perch captured in gill nets were 10.0 inches and larger. The largest measured 11.8 inches. Walleyes are the most recent addition to the fish community. The Brandon Fins and Feathers Club and shoreland property owners have purchased and stocked approximately 3,600 fingerlings and yearlings since 2012. Eighteen Walleyes were captured during the 2017 survey. Average length of Walleye captures was 17.1 inches.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch in Moon. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Moon. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Moon has a maximum depth of 38 feet and a mean depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Moon is from 2023.

Yes — Moon has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.