Moose

Moose is a 62 acre lake with 54 (87%) acres of littoral area and maximum depth of 17 feet. Moose is located four miles southwest of Rollins, MN off St. Louis County Highway #44. Although Moose Lake has no designated public access, there is county tax forfeit land on the southeast corner of the lake. A total of two walleye were sampled during the 2001 survey. Similarly, only four walleye were sampled during an assessment conducted in 1996. Walleye fry have been stocked in Moose Lake in odd years beginning in 1991. Of the six walleye sampled in 1996 and 2001, only one was aged to a year that walleye fry were stocked. Northern pike abundance of 7.3 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length for northerns of 22.1 inches was large. Growth was average with length at age four of 23.4 inches. Analysis of age distribution revealed a strong 1998 year class and all year classes from 1996 through 1999 represented. Yellow perch abundance of 2.3 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length for yellow perch of 7.1 inches was small. Growth was slow with length at age four of 5.0 inches. Analysis of age distribution revealed no strong year classes and all but one year class represented from 1994 through 1999. Black bullhead abundance of 13.5 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length of black bullhead was 8.4 inches. Black crappie abundance of 6.2 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length for black crappie of 8.2 inches was large. Growth was average with length at age four of 7.6 inches. Analysis of age distribution revealed a strong 1999 year class and all year classes from 1995 through 1999 represented. There were also eight sampled crappie older than age nine. Other fish species sampled in Moose Lake include bluegill, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish and white sucker. Largemouth bass had not been sampled prior to the 2001 lake survey. It is uncertian how largemouth bass became established. Fishing pressure on Moose Lake is considered light due to low shoreline development and limited public access. Fisheries management on Moose Lake currently consists of bi-annual stocking of walleye fry. However, very few walleye have been sampled during the last two investigations. Future fisheries management for Moose Lake will be determined in the lake management plan developed in 2002.

Moose is a small, highly littoral, lightly stained lake with no developed public access, although public lands encompass the majority of the lakeshore. Average numbers of northern pike are present in Moose Lake with the 1996 assessment showing pike ranging in size from 16.2 inches to 28.7 inches. Black crappie are also present in typical numbers with sizes ranging from 4.4 to 12.0 inches and averaging 8.7 inches. Walleye, while limited in number, averaged 22.0 inches in length. The angler might also expect to catch small (4.2 inches) pumpkinseed and yellow perch (6.9 inches) and an occasional large black bullhead (9.4 inches).

Walleye population is comprised of the 1985 and 1987 year classes which relate to fry and fingerling stocking those years. Growth rate is above average for the state. Abundance of crappies and pumpkinseeds is high, although their growth rate is slow.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Moose. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Moose has a maximum depth of 17 feet and a mean depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Moose is from 2001. 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.