Moose
A 1,273-acre lake near Deer River in Itasca County — best known for bass and muskie. Last surveyed 2023.
Fish Species (19)
Smallmouth Bass
Above-normal numbers · large fish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Aug 2018
Last surveyed 2018 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 26.0 · Electrofishing survey
Size from the Aug 2023 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | 0.50 | 12.7" | 1.44 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 0.80 | - | - |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 2.12 | - | - |
Muskellunge
Above-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023
Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net · typical 0.1–0.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | 0.25 | 36.3" | 12.51 lbs |
| Aug 27, 2018 | 0.08 | 17.0" | 1.08 lbs |
| May 9, 2018 | 18.99 | 36.2" | 13.88 lbs |
Black Crappie
Above-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023
Catch rate: 3.8 per gill net · typical 0.4–2.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | 3.83 | 7.3" | 0.49 lbs |
| Aug 21, 2023 | 3.45 | 7.3" | 0.16 lbs |
| Aug 27, 2018 | 4.25 | 9.0" | 0.51 lbs |
Northern Pike
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023
Catch rate: 2.8 per gill net · typical 2.8–9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | 2.75 | 24.1" | 3.48 lbs |
| Aug 27, 2018 | 2.00 | 24.5" | 3.49 lbs |
| Aug 27, 2018 | 0.17 | 24.5" | 3.67 lbs |
Walleye
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023
Catch rate: 5.3 per gill net · typical 3.3–8.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | 0.18 | 17.1" | 4.04 lbs |
| Aug 21, 2023 | 5.33 | 17.1" | 1.73 lbs |
| Sep 13, 2018 | 7.98 | 12.0" | 0.07 lbs |
Rock Bass
Above-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023
Catch rate: 5.2 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | 5.08 | 5.8" | 0.30 lbs |
| Aug 21, 2023 | 5.18 | 5.8" | 0.16 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 2.00 | - | - |
Largemouth Bass
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Aug 2018
Last surveyed 2018 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.0 · Electrofishing survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 5, 2023 | 3.50 | - | - |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 0.88 | - | - |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 15.96 | - | - |
Hybrid Sunfish
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023
Catch rate: 0.45 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | 0.45 | 6.2" | 0.29 lbs |
| Aug 21, 2023 | 0.08 | 6.2" | 0.19 lbs |
| Aug 26, 2013 | 0.25 | 6.7" | 0.31 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023
Catch rate: 37.5 per gill net · typical 7–46.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | 37.50 | 6.2" | 0.09 lbs |
| Aug 21, 2023 | 2.18 | 6.2" | 0.19 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 1.20 | - | - |
Bluegill
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023
Catch rate: 15.0 per trap net · typical 4.4–49 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | 15.00 | 4.7" | 0.09 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 4.17 | - | - |
| Aug 27, 2018 | 14.83 | 4.2" | 0.07 lbs |
Pumpkinseed
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023
Catch rate: 1.6 per trap net · typical 1.8–7.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | 0.08 | 3.9" | 0.22 lbs |
| Aug 21, 2023 | 1.64 | 3.9" | 0.07 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 1.38 | - | - |
Green Sunfish
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2010
Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net · typical 0.2–1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 23, 2010 | 0.08 | 3.0" | 0.02 lbs |
Other species in this lake (7)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
White Sucker
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023
Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.9–4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | 1.00 | 14.7" | 1.60 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 2.67 | - | - |
| Aug 27, 2018 | 1.58 | 16.1" | 2.07 lbs |
Shorthead Redhorse
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1948
Last surveyed 1948 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.06 per gill net · typical 0.2–0.9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 1984 | 0.12 | - | 2.50 lbs |
| Aug 31, 1953 | 0.08 | - | 3.90 lbs |
| Jun 27, 1948 | 0.06 | - | 2.62 lbs |
Brown Bullhead
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1975
Last surveyed 1975 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.36 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.6 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 14, 1975 | 0.36 | - | 0.44 lbs |
| Aug 31, 1953 | 0.33 | - | 1.35 lbs |
Golden Shiner
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 0.4 · Electrofishing survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 5, 2023 | 0.40 | - | - |
| Jul 22, 2013 | 0.50 | - | - |
| Aug 23, 2010 | 0.25 | - | - |
Bluntnose Minnow
Seining survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 3.5 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 5, 2023 | 56.83 | - | - |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 0.40 | - | - |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 3.50 | - | - |
Johnny Darter
Seining survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 7.0 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 5, 2023 | 9.98 | - | - |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 7.00 | - | - |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 0.50 | - | - |
Iowa Darter
Seining survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 0.75 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 5, 2023 | 5.33 | - | - |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 15.96 | - | - |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 0.75 | - | - |
Biologist Notes
August 6, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Moose Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Moose Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 24.6 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 24.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 0.2 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present but marginal for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 21.1 degrees C (70.0 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco as the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat 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 2006, 2010, and 2023 indicated variable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2006 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 0.7 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 6, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Moose Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Moose Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 24.6 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 24.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 0.2 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present but marginal for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 21.1 degrees C (70.0 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco as the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat 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 2006, 2010, and 2023 indicated variable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2006 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 0.7 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 6, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Moose Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Moose Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 24.6 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 24.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 0.2 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present but marginal for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 21.1 degrees C (70.0 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco as the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat 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 2006, 2010, and 2023 indicated variable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2006 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 0.7 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Moose?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Walleye in Moose. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Moose?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Moose. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Moose?
Moose has a maximum depth of 61 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Moose last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Moose is from 2023.
Does Moose have any invasive species?
Yes — Moose has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 1,273.39 acres
- Max Depth
- 61 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.3 mi
- Public Access
- Yes
Invasive Species Alert
- zebra mussel
Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to prevent spread.