Moose

Moose Lake is a small lake located six miles southeast of Northome, MN in northern Itasca County. The lake lies within the Chippewa National Forest and the Big Fork River watershed. Much of the shoreline is undeveloped forest land managed by the US Forest Service. There is a concrete ramp public access at the south end of the lake with limited parking. The lake management plan (LMP) was last revised in 2009. Walleye were considered primary management species because of alternate-year fry stocking. Northern Pike and Black Crappie were considered secondary management species. A standard survey was conducted in 2018 to assess the status of the fish community and the effectiveness of Walleye fry stocking. The Walleye gill-net catch was typical for Moose Lake and slightly above average for lakes with comparable habitat. Walleye size structure was good; fish from gill nets averaged 15.8 inches and 18% of the sample exceeded 20 inches. Most fish corresponded to stocked year classes but a moderate natural year class (2016) was represented by numbers of age 2 fish. Growth was considered good with Walleye averaging 15.2 inches at age 4. Moose Lake appears to provide good fishing opportunities for Walleye. The Northern Pike gill-net catch was about average for Moose Lake and slightly above average for lakes with similar habitat. Size structure was moderate; pike ranged from 17.9 to 28.6 inches with an average length of 22.9 inches. Ages 2-7 were represented with age 3 fish the most frequently sampled. Pike averaged 21.9 inches at age 4. The north central pike zone regulation implemented in 2018 requires anglers to release pike from 22-26 inches, while allowing for more harvest of small pike. It is hoped that this regulation will improve size quality on Moose Lake. Moose Lake has generally produced a modest crappie fishery. The 2018 trap-net catch was higher than previous surveys but within the typical range for lakes with comparable habitat. Crappie from trap nets ranged from 4.8 to 10.2 inches with an average length of 8.2 inches. Ages 1-4 were represented with ages 2 and 3 making up a majority of the sample. Growth was good with crappie averaging 8.0 inches at age 3. Gill-net catches for Yellow Perch have typically been quite high compared to similar lakes. The 2018 catch was the highest ever recorded. Not surprisingly, size structure was fairly poor; perch from gill nets averaged 6.8 inches and very few fish exceeded 8 inches. Yellow Perch are more important as a prey source for predators than as a target for anglers. Other species sampled in test nets included Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead and White Sucker.

Moose Lake is in ecological lake class 25 and is located near Northome, MN, in the Chippewa National Forest and Bigfork Watershed. The lake is 357 acres and has a maximum depth of 52 feet. A survey targeting nearshore fish species was conducted by Area staff on 18 July, 2018. Ten sampling sites (100 feet long) were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site is sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-ft or 15-ft 1/8th inch mesh seine, depending on habitat condition. Shoreline seining was conducted at nine sites; using only the 15-ft seine. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sites. Nearshore sampling captured a total of 13 different species; nine species by seining and 11 species by backpack electrofishing. The species can be found in the gear-specific catch tables in this report. Nearshore catches will be used with the gill net and trap net data from the standard survey conducted on 6 August, 2018, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of lake health. The surveys will assist the watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Moose Lake is a moderately sized, mesotrophic, class 25 lake in northern Itasca County near the town of Northome. The lake is moderately fertile and has good water clarity. Most of the shoreline is in a natural state consisting primarily of forest and secondarily of bog. Moose Lake is situated in the Big Fork River/ Moose Brook minor watershed and has four inlets of wetland origin. There is a connection to Big Calf Lake via the outlet, Moose Brook. A diverse aquatic plant community is a major attribute of Moose Lake, providing valuable habitat for a variety of fish species. Submergent plants were widespread, growing to a depth of 13 feet. Sago pondweed, coontail, and flatstem pondweed were the most widespread submergent plants. Floating leaf and emergent vegetation were also widespread. Yellow and white waterlilies were the most common floating leaf species. The emergent plant community was diverse. Hardstem bulrush and arrowhead (Sagittaria spp) were the most widespread emergent species and occurred around much of the lake. Thirteen terrestrial species were found on the shoreline with sedges being the most widespread. Moose Lake supports a relatively diverse fish community, providing angling opportunities for several species. Yellow perch were the most common fish captured in gill nets. The yellow perch catch was high when compared to similar lakes. Yellow perch have historically been abundant in Moose Lake. The size structure was generally poor, however, as only 11% of individuals exceeded 8 inches in length. Given the size structure and relative abundance, yellow perch appear to be a very important prey species in Moose Lake. Walleye were sampled in relatively high numbers in 2008. The catch rate of 9.4/gill net was the second highest recorded for Moose Lake and was high compared to similar lakes. Prior to 1996, Moose Lake produced walleye catches that were average for the type of lake. Since 1996, catch rates have been relatively high. In 2008, size structure was favorable for anglers as 44% exceeded 15 inches. The largest fish sampled exceeded 24 inches. Growth was near the statewide average and individuals exceeded 15 inches by age 5. Few individuals (15%) exceeded age 5, suggesting high mortality of older, larger individuals. Skewed age distributions are often the result of relatively high angler harvest of larger, older fish. Given the abundance and size distribution, quality angling opportunities exist for this species. Northern pike were sampled in relatively high numbers as well. Prior to 1981, Moose Lake produced pike with relatively low catches when compared to similar lakes. Since 1981, the catches have been relatively high suggesting a trend of increased abundance. In 2008, size structure was poor as few individuals reached quality size. When pike occur at high densities, size is often poor, limiting angler interest. Age analysis identified eight year-classes. Growth was near the statewide average with individuals typically exceeding 21 inches by age 5. Few individuals exceeded age-5, contributing to the poor size distribution. Given the poor size and age structures, the popularity of the northern pike fishery may be limited. Anglers are encouraged to release pike over 22 inches to improve the size and age distributions. Black crappie catches from Moose Lake have been relatively low in most assessments. The current assessment resulted in a catch rate of 0.2/trap net and 0.6/gill net, indicating relatively low abundance compared to similar lakes. Most individuals were large as length ranged from 8 to 12 inches. Age analysis identified five year-classes and growth was near the statewide average with individuals exceeding 8 inches by age 4. Test net sampling often inadequately samples largemouth bass. Largemouth bass were sampled using night boat electrofishing in June. Largemouth bass were captured in low numbers (2.3/hour on-time). Natural reproduction appears to be good, however, as special electrofishing resulted in a 41.5 YOY largemouth bass per hour. More data is needed to thoroughly evaluate the bass population of Moose Lake. Natural shoreline characteristics and good water quality are major attributes of Moose Lake. The protection of water quality and habitat is critical in maintaining or improving fish and wildlife populations. Unfortunately, human activities often negatively impact lakes. Fertilized turf-grass lawns and failing septic systems along with the removal of shoreline and aquatic vegetation, mowing to the shore, and installing sand blanket beaches results in destabilized shorelines, uncontrolled erosion, and increased run-off, contributing excess nutrients and sediment to the lake and degrading water quality and habitat. By understanding the cumulative impacts of our actions and taking steps to avoid or minimize them, we can help insure our quality water resources can be enjoyed well into the future. A complete description of shoreline best management practices can be found in "Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality" at the Grand Rapids Area Fisheries Office or online at www.mndnr.gov.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass in Moose. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Moose has a maximum depth of 52 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Moose is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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