Moose

Black Crappie is the species most often pursued on Moose Lake. Abundance in 2021 was well above the expected range for this lake type. Three strong year-classes were present in the catch, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Length in trap nets ranged from 3.3-10 inches and the mean was 7.2. Largemouth bass is another popular choice on Moose Lake. Due to the pandemic and staff storages, only angling was used to target Largemouth Bass. Three Largemouth Bass were captured, ranging in length from 10.04 to 16.73 inches. Northern Pike abundance has varied over time and stocking seemed to increase numbers temporarily. The highest abundance was observed in 1988 (8.00 fish/set), which occurred after stocking events in 1984 and 1985. However, by 2009, Northern Pike abundance was down to 0.50 fish/set. Stocking occurred again in 2013 and 2015. In 2021, the gill-net catch rate was 2.33 Northern Pike per net, below the expected number for this type of lake. However, Northern Pike in gill nets ranged from 20.87 to 31.30, with a mean of 25.10 inches. The mean weight was 3.65 pounds. So, while pike abundance is not high, the size of the fish is well above average. Historically, Yellow Perch abundance has been variable in Moose Lake with a high of 33.00 fish/set and a low of 1.50 fish/set. In 2021, Yellow Perch abundance was within the expected range for this lake type. However, sizes were small. Yellow Perch in Moose Lake are more important as forage for predators rather than recreational fish for anglers.

Black Crappie is the species most often pursued on Moose Lake. Abundance in 2016 was within the expected range for this lake type. Many older (larger) fish were present in the sample. The 2009 and 2010 year-classes represented 67% of the sample. Length in trap nets ranged from 4.4-10.9 inches and the mean was 9.2. Mean weight was 0.44 pounds, which was above the expected range for this lake type. Largemouth bass is another popular choice on Moose Lake. Night electrofishing was used to sample a total of 18 Largemouth Bass on one sampling night in late May, which was about double the rate observed in each of the two previous investigations. So abundance appears to be up in Moose Lake. Length ranged from 9.1 to 17.5 inches and the mean was 12.5. Mean weight was 1.12 pounds. Northern Pike abundance has varied over time and stocking seemed to increase numbers temporarily. The highest abundance was observed in 1988 (8.00 fish/set), which occurred after stocking events in 1984 and 1985. However, by 2009, Northern Pike abundance was down to 0.50 fish/set. Stocking occurred again in 2013 and 2015. Abundance increased to 1.50 fish/set in 2016; however, it remained below the expected range for this lake type. Historically, Yellow Perch abundance has been variable in Moose Lake with a high of 33.00 fish/set and a low of 1.50 fish/set. In 2016, Yellow Perch abundance was within the expected range for this lake type. However, sizes were small. Yellow Perch are likely more important as forage for predators rather than recreational fish for anglers.

A special assessment was conducted in the spring of 2014 on Moose Lake to determine winterkill. Six standard three-quarter inch mesh trap nets were set on June 3 and lifted June 4. Catches indicated that winterkill did not occur on Moose Lake during the winter of 2013-2014. Crappie CPUE was the third highest ever recorded at 25.33 per net. They ranged in size from 5 to 10.5 inches; 93 percent were 8-10 inches. Additional species captured included 1 mature northern pike, 2 pumpkinseed and 1 yellow perch.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Bluegill, 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 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Moose is from 2021.

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.