Half Moon

Half Moon is a 30-acre lake located in the Baker Park Reserve operated by the Three Rivers Park District. There is a parking lot, carry-in canoe access, and fishing pier on the west side of the lake. No gas boat motors are permitted. The fishery includes bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, largemouth bass, and northern pike. An assessment was conducted during July 2009 to determine the species composition and abundance of game fish in the lake. The two most abundant species in the 2009 assessment were bluegill and black crappie. Both were sampled at a rate of 17/gill net. Bluegill averaged 6.2 inches and 0.17 pounds. Sixty-nine percent were 6 inches or longer and 4% were 8 inches or longer. The largest measured 8.2 inches and 0.37 pounds. Growth was comparable to other similar lakes in the West Metro Area. Bluegill were 4.4 inches long at age 3. Back crappie averaged 7.3 inches and 0.21 lbs. Thirteen percent were 8 inches or greater and the largest measured 8.6 inches and 0.33 lbs. Growth of black crappie was slower than other similar lakes in the West Metro Area, with fish reaching 6.3 inches long at age 3. Northern pike were moderately abundant (7.0/gill net) and mean individual weight was high at 5.87 pounds. Mean length was 29.3 inches and the largest pike was 34.3 inches. All northern pike sampled were longer than 21 inches and 77% were longer than 28 inches. Growth was slow until age 3, then it increased to near average when compared to other similar lakes in the West Metro Area. Northern pike were 16.8 inches long at age 3. Three walleye were sampled measuring 15.9, 20.1 and 25.7 inches in length. Walleye are not stocked into Half Moon Lake, nor have they ever been documented. It is likely these fish have migrated from the connection to nearby Lake Independence during spring high water events. Two largemouth bass were sampled (5.9 and 10.3 inches), however, passive sampling gear such as gill nets are not an effective method for collecting largemouth bass, so the data presented for this species is not indicative of relative abundance. Electrofishing is the typical method for largemouth bass assessments but was not conducted during this survey. Other species present in the assessment in relatively low abundance were yellow perch, bowfin, golden shiner, hybrid sunfish, white sucker, and black, brown, and yellow bullhead.

The bluegill population in Half Moon Lake is of average abundance. The average length sampled was 6.1 inches. Growth is good for this species. Black crappies are very abundant but the average size is only 7.1 inches. The most abundant year class is age three fish. Northern pike abundance is high, and the fish have an average length of 21.9 inches. This species also exhibits good growth rates.

AGE DISTRIBUTION OF ALL SPECIES PREDOMINANTLY AGE 2 OR YOUNGER BECAUSE OF 1988-89 WINTERKILL. NORTHERN PIKE, BLACK AND YELLOW BULLHEAD AND SUN- FISHES (PUMPKINSEED, BLUEGILL AND THEIR HYBRID) WERE SAMPLED IN ABOVE MEDIAN NUMBERS. FIVE OR FEWER SPECIMENS OF BOWFIN, GOLDEN SHINER, WHITE SUCKER, BROWN BULLHEAD AND WHITE CRAPPIE WERE ALSO CAPTURED.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, White Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie in Half Moon. 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 Half Moon. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Half Moon has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Half Moon is from 2009. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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