Skip to content
MN Fish Finder

Moose

Itasca County
Near Deer River
DOW: 31072200
Smallmouth BassExcellent · 97MuskellungeExcellent · 90Black CrappieExcellent · 79

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

Excellent · 97

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Aug 2018

Last surveyed 2018 — treat with caution

Avg Size
15.7"
Avg Weight
2.76 lbs

Catch rate: 26.0 · Electrofishing survey

Size of catchable smallmouth bass67% keeper-size (12"+)
7–11" · 33%Largest sampled 17"

Size from the Aug 2023 survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 21, 20230.5012.7"1.44 lbs
Jul 5, 20230.80--
Jul 5, 20232.12--

Muskellunge

Excellent · 90

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023

Avg Size
36.3"
Avg Weight
12.51 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net · typical 0.1–0.2 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 21, 20230.2536.3"12.51 lbs
Aug 27, 20180.0817.0"1.08 lbs
May 9, 201818.9936.2"13.88 lbs

Black Crappie

Excellent · 79

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023

Avg Size
7.3"
Avg Weight
0.49 lbs

Catch rate: 3.8 per gill net · typical 0.4–2.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie28% keeper-size (10"+)
5–9" · 72%Largest sampled 14"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 21, 20233.837.3"0.49 lbs
Aug 21, 20233.457.3"0.16 lbs
Aug 27, 20184.259.0"0.51 lbs

Northern Pike

Excellent · 75

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023

Avg Size
24.1"
Avg Weight
3.48 lbs

Catch rate: 2.8 per gill net · typical 2.8–9 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike64% keeper-size (24"+)
14–23" · 36%Largest sampled 33"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 21, 20232.7524.1"3.48 lbs
Aug 27, 20182.0024.5"3.49 lbs
Aug 27, 20180.1724.5"3.67 lbs

Walleye

Good · 71

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023

Avg Size
17.1"
Avg Weight
1.73 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per gill net · typical 3.3–8.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye98% keeper-size (15"+)
10–14" · 2%Largest sampled 25"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 21, 20230.1817.1"4.04 lbs
Aug 21, 20235.3317.1"1.73 lbs
Sep 13, 20187.9812.0"0.07 lbs

Rock Bass

Good · 70

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023

Avg Size
5.8"
Avg Weight
0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 5.2 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable rock bass14% keeper-size (8"+)
4–7" · 86%Largest sampled 10"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 21, 20235.085.8"0.30 lbs
Aug 21, 20235.185.8"0.16 lbs
Jul 5, 20232.00--

Largemouth Bass

Good · 55

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Aug 2018

Last surveyed 2018 — treat with caution

Avg Size
6.8"
Avg Weight
1.29 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 · Electrofishing survey

Size of catchable largemouth bass75% keeper-size (12"+)
8–11" · 25%Largest sampled 14"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 5, 20233.50--
Jul 5, 20230.88--
Jul 5, 202315.96--

Hybrid Sunfish

Average · 47

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023

Avg Size
6.2"
Avg Weight
0.29 lbs

Catch rate: 0.45 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish17% keeper-size (8"+)
3–7" · 83%Largest sampled 8"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 21, 20230.456.2"0.29 lbs
Aug 21, 20230.086.2"0.19 lbs
Aug 26, 20130.256.7"0.31 lbs

Yellow Perch

Average · 40

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023

Avg Size
6.2"
Avg Weight
0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 37.5 per gill net · typical 7–46.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch1% keeper-size (9"+)
5–8" · 99%Largest sampled 9"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 21, 202337.506.2"0.09 lbs
Aug 21, 20232.186.2"0.19 lbs
Jul 5, 20231.20--

Bluegill

Poor · 22

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023

Avg Size
4.7"
Avg Weight
0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 15.0 per trap net · typical 4.4–49 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill0% keeper-size (8"+)
3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 21, 202315.004.7"0.09 lbs
Jul 5, 20234.17--
Aug 27, 201814.834.2"0.07 lbs

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 18

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023

Avg Size
3.9"
Avg Weight
0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 1.6 per trap net · typical 1.8–7.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)
3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 6"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 21, 20230.083.9"0.22 lbs
Aug 21, 20231.643.9"0.07 lbs
Jul 5, 20231.38--

Green Sunfish

Poor · 12

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2010

Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution

Avg Size
3.0"
Avg Weight
0.02 lbs

Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net · typical 0.2–1 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 23, 20100.083.0"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

Average · 41

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2023

Avg Size
14.7"
Avg Weight
1.60 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.9–4 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 21, 20231.0014.7"1.60 lbs
Jul 5, 20232.67--
Aug 27, 20181.5816.1"2.07 lbs

Shorthead Redhorse

Average · 40

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1948

Last surveyed 1948 — treat with caution

Avg Weight
2.62 lbs

Catch rate: 0.06 per gill net · typical 0.2–0.9 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 24, 19840.12-2.50 lbs
Aug 31, 19530.08-3.90 lbs
Jun 27, 19480.06-2.62 lbs

Brown Bullhead

Average · 35

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1975

Last surveyed 1975 — treat with caution

Avg Weight
0.44 lbs

Catch rate: 0.36 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.6 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 14, 19750.36-0.44 lbs
Aug 31, 19530.33-1.35 lbs

Golden Shiner

Insufficient

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2023

Catch rate: 0.4 · Electrofishing survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 5, 20230.40--
Jul 22, 20130.50--
Aug 23, 20100.25--

Bluntnose Minnow

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jul 2023

Catch rate: 3.5 · Seining survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 5, 202356.83--
Jul 5, 20230.40--
Jul 5, 20233.50--

Johnny Darter

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jul 2023

Catch rate: 7.0 · Seining survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 5, 20239.98--
Jul 5, 20237.00--
Jul 5, 20230.50--

Iowa Darter

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jul 2023

Catch rate: 0.75 · Seining survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 5, 20235.33--
Jul 5, 202315.96--
Jul 5, 20230.75--

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.

More lakes in Itasca County

View all

Lake Details

Surface Area
1,273.39 acres
Max Depth
61 ft
Shoreline
7.3 mi
Public Access
Yes
View on DNR LakeFinder

Invasive Species Alert

  • zebra mussel

Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to prevent spread.

Location

47.3970°N, 93.6917°W

Get Directions