Lost Moose

Lost Moose Lake has a history of frequent partial fishkills following severe winters because it is shallow. Adult brood fish, primarily sunfish, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass, have occasionally been stocked to assist in rebuilding the fishery. Fishkills were reported following the winters of 2022-23 and 2023-24. An investigation in May of 2023 found Northern Pike, Yellow Perch and Pumpkinseed Sunfish. Masses of Yellow Perch eggs were also observed. The species that survived are tolerant of lower winter oxygen levels and are appropriate for the lake. Stocking of brood fish was not warranted since adult fish were present. In the spring of 2025, fish were shocked or observed in the shallows in most areas investigated. Eight species were documented [Golden Shiners >50, Blacknose Shiners >15, Yellow Perch >25 (various ages and sizes up to 8 inches), Pumpkinseed Sunfish >20, Northern Pike - roughly 8 less than 20 inches, Black Crappie - 2 that were about 10 inches, Largemouth Bass - 2 that ranged from 12 to 15 inches, Bluegill - 1 that was about 7.5 inches]. Yellow Perch egg masses were also observed in numerous areas. The number and diversity of fish were sufficient to repopulate the lake. The results were once again an indication that complete winterkills are extremely rare and these types of lakes are very resilient. It may require three to five, or even more years, to recover from a winterkill event but stocking adults is unlikely to reduce the recovering time. Therefore, stocking species that are not tolerant to low oxygen conditions is not recommended.

Lost Moose Lake has a history of frequent partial winterkill events following severe winters and adult fish, primarily sunfish, bass and crappie, have been occassionally stocked to help maintain a fishery. A winterkill of Lost Moose was reported in May of 2023. The event was investigated using boat electrofishing on May 12th. A few dead Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and one potential crappie were observed. Live Northern Pike (12-20 inches), Yellow Perch, and Pumpkinseed were observed in shallow water indicating that a complete kill had not occurred and sufficient brood fish were present to naturally repopulate the lake. Masses of perch egggs were observed. The species that survived the winterkill are tolerant of lower winter oxygen and appropriate for the lake. Given the fact that live fish were observed, brood fish stocking is not needed.

Lost Moose Lake is located about 15 miles east southeast of Marcell, MN, within the Chippewa National Forest and the Mississippi River Watershed. Most of the 2.8 mile shoreline is in public ownership and development is mostly along the west and northwest side of the lake. The 101 acre lake is 100% littoral with a 16 foot maximum depth and is in Lake Class 37. There is a state owned access on the west shore with limited parking availability. Northern pike were the most abundant species present in the gill nets and comparable to the previous assessment. Both exceeded the expected range for lakes similar to Lost Moose. Size structure was moderate but improvement would be desirable. Lengths ranged from 9.1 to 32.7 inches in the gill net sample with an average of 19.2 inches. Trap nets sampled one 36 inch pike, suggesting some big fish potential exists. Scale and bone analysis identified ages 1 through 8 were present in the sample suggesting relatively consistent recruitment. Back-calculated length-at-age determined growth was similar to the statewide average. Northern pike typically averaged 20.4 inches by age 4. Black crappie were sampled at a rate exceeding the expected range in gill nets, while the trap net catch was within the expected range. Interestingly, no crappie were sampled in the previous assessment, but were present in the initial 1978 survey. Gill net size structure was moderate while trap net sampled fish had slightly better distribution of size. Lengths ranged from 4.9 to 10.3 inches with an average length of 8.1 inches in the gill nets, while fish up to 12.8 inches were observed in trap nets. Scale analysis identified four age classes with fish up to age 8 present. The 2006 year class comprised 63% of the sample, while 2007 and 2008 year classes were not sampled. Growth was slow early but near the statewide average by age 3. Black crappie typically exceeded 10 inches by age 6. Bluegill were sampled at the low end of the expected range in trap nets, which is up slightly from the previous assessment. Size structure was poor with no fish over eight inches sampled. Lengths ranged from 3.5 to 7.7 inches with an average length of 6.3 inches. Scale analysis identified ages 2 and 5-7 present in the sample. Similar to black crappie, the 2007 and 2008 year-classes were not present in the bluegill sample. Growth was slow early but near the statewide average by age 4. Yellow perch were listed as primary management species and were sampled at a rate below the expected range and below the previous assessment. Sample size was too small to accurately reflect the population, but fish up to 10.4 inches were sampled. Pumpkinseed were the most abundant species sampled in trap nets and the second most abundant in gill nets. Other species sampled included hybrid sunfish and largemouth bass. As part of IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity) near shore sampling, Johnny darter, black crappie, blacknose shiner, bluegill, central mudminnow, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed and yellow perch were sampled in nine seine hauls. Backpack electrofishing sampled bluegill, central mudminnow, largemouth bass, northern pike, and yellow perch in 10 stations.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch in Lost Moose. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Lost Moose has a maximum depth of 16 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Lost Moose is from 2011. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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