Big Moose

Big Moose is a 1025-acre lake located 13 miles northwest of Ely in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It bears many similarities to neighboring Big Lake. Maximum depth is about 23 feet, but most of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Due to its simple basin shape and shallow depth Big Moose rarely forms a thermocline. Oxygen levels suitable for fish are found in all but the most isolated pockets of deep water. The lake is rather bog stained and moderate in clarity. Aquatic vegetation is sparse and grows to a depth of four feet. The surrounding landscape is low in relief and is an excellent example of pre-settlement old growth forest. Towering virgin pines fade into bog and are punctuated by low brushlands. Big Moose is generally accessed by the Moose River after two modest portages and a meandering bit of river paddling. A 470-rod portage from Duck Lake and a 622-rod portage from Cummings Lake are the only other route options. A 2.5 mile hiking trail starting on the north end of the lake terminates at a parking lot on a spur from the Moose Loop Rd. Five USFS designated campsites ring the lake, and several beaches are present during typical water levels. The total catch of the 2024 survey (22.2/net) was lower than the lake average, and the discrepancy in total pounds was even greater at 27.8 lb/net compared to the lake average of 55.2 lb/net. Smallmouth bass and walleye constituted most of the catch, followed by white sucker and rock bass. Northern pike were present in low numbers and yellow perch were absent. Yellow perch remains were found in walleye stomachs. Walleye numbers (4.9/net) were less than typical for this lake and below average compared to similar area lakes. Lengths ranged from seven to 27 inches with an average length of about 17 inches. Average weight was high at nearly two pounds. Walleye growth was slightly greater than normal, but strong year classes were infrequent. Smallmouth bass abundance (7.1/net) was the highest sampled from Big Moose and exceeded the lake and area averages. Lengths ranged from ten to about 17 inches with an average length of about 14 inches, which is typical for Big Moose. Growth was better than average and smallmouth reproduction is consistent most years. Anglers are likely to encounter smallmouth about anywhere in the lake; reports of excellent bass fishing are common. Northern pike abundance (0.6/net) was tied for the lowest on record from Big Moose. It was well below average for both Big Moose and similar area lakes. Pike sizes were modest, ranging from 18 to 23 inches. Northern pike average length of 21 inches was less than typical.

Big Moose Lake is located approximately 13 miles NW of Ely and is entirely within the BWCAW. This scenic lake has rugged, rocky shorelines with large boulders and broken ledgerock being common. The landscape is covered by abundant red pines. The most common access is via the Moose River in a southerly direction off the Echo Trail (CR116). There are two portages along this route. The first is 160 rods in length and the second is 60 rods. Water levels on the river between these portages can fluctuate seasonally and are influenced by beaver activity. There are 5 designated USFS campsites surrounding the lake. Walleye numbers in 2014 (10.0/gill net) were slightly higher than the long term average for all assessments on this lake. The average walleye sampled was 16.6 inches long and about 4 years old. Twenty-five percent of the walleye aged were older than 10 years and the oldest walleye aged was 27 years old which is the oldest walleye recorded in the area. The largest walleye sampled was 26.8 inches long. Smallmouth bass abundance in 2014 (6.9/gill net) was about three times higher when compared to past assessments on this lake. Smallmouth averaged 15.6 inches long and about 8 or 9 years old. Sixty-six percent of the smallmouth aged were older than 10 years. The largest smallmouth sampled was 18.2 inches long. Northern pike numbers in 2014 (8.4/gill net) were much higher than the long term average of 1.5/gill net for all assessments on this lake. The average pike sampled was 23.6 inches long and the largest pike was 28.2 inches long. Rock bass, yellow perch and white sucker were also sampled in 2014. Rock bass numbers in 2014 (4.6/gill net) were higher than the long term average. The largest rock bass sampled was 13.2 inches long. Perch and sucker numbers were below average.

Big Moose Lake is in Ecological Lake Class 16, which consists of 38 lakes in northeast Minnesota that are large and shallow and have soft (low mineral content), bog-stained water. Secchi water clarity measured 11 feet on 06/15/2009; higher than the average of 6 feet in previous investigations on this lake and higher than the lake class average of 5.6 feet. The 2009 Secchi water clarity is consistent with recent measurements in 1994 (9 feet) and 2003 (12 feet). Big Moose Lake was partially thermally stratified on 06/15/2009 with a surface temperature of 65.8�F and a bottom temperature of 59.7�F. Good oxygen (10.2 ppm) was maintained to the bottom. Big Moose Lake has several inlets draining local wetlands. The outlet to the Moose River has rocky areas and shallow falls that limit fish movement. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline are 75% boulder, 14% muck, 6% sand, and 5% ledge rock. Aquatic plants are sparse and grow to a depth of 4 ft; the most common aquatic plant is watershield. The 2009 fish population assessment consisted of 12 standard gillnet sets. Trapnets have not been used on Big Moose Lake due to the difficult access. Six previous population assessments, dating back to 1982, consisted of 3-6 gillnet sets. Twelve is the standard number of recommended gillnet sets for a lake of this size. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate whether natural reproduction is sustaining the walleye abundance at desired levels, monitor walleye growth, and monitor the composition of other species in the lake population. Walleye growth in recent surveys has been slower than normal by area standards, coincident with a decrease in forage species. The total catch of fish (all species combined) in 2009 was 8.1 fish/gillnet (9.1 lbs/gillnet), which was lower than normal for this lake class and lower than the 2003 catch of 24.2 fish/gillnet (36.5 lbs/gillnet). Walleye were introduced to this lake in 1983 and the total catch of fish has gradually declined from the initial investigation in 1982, which captured 92.6 fish/gillnet (61.9 lbs/gillnet) composed mostly of yellow perch and white sucker. Walleye stocking from 1983 to 1991 was accompanied by a decline in numbers of yellow perch, white sucker, and northern pike. Rock bass and smallmouth bass numbers have remained relatively stable over time. Lake class 16 is one of the most productive lake classes in northeast Minnesota; in terms of gillnet catches of fish. Walleye numbers peaked in 1991 at 15.0 fish/gillnet and have decreased during every subsequent assessment to the 2009 survey catch rate of 2.4 fish/gillnet. The 2009 catch rate was below normal for Lake Class 16 and lower than the 2003 catch rate of 8.0 fish/gillnet. Walleye sizes in 2009 averaged 16.1 inches (1.4 lbs), which is in the fourth quartile for Lake Class 16 and larger than the mean for all investigations on this lake (14.5 inches). Aging of walleye scales revealed the presence of 8 different age classes in 2009. Growth of age 2 through age 6 walleye was normal by area standards, but growth of age 7 and older year classes was slower than normal growth by area standards. Only one yellow perch was captured in 2009, resulting in a catch rate of 0.08 fish/gillnet. Yellow perch numbers in 1982, prior to the introduction of walleye in 1983, were very high (54 fish/gillnet). The yellow perch catch rate declined abruptly to 10 fish/gillnet in 1986, then gradually declined to zero in the 2003 investigation. Perch sizes increased during this period, from an average of 8 inches in 1982 to an average of ten inches in 1998. The lone yellow perch captured in 2009 was 10.6 inches long. White suckers numbers also declined over time from 30 fish/gillnet in 1982 to 8.5 fish/gillnet in 2003 to 1.0 fish/gillnet in 2009. Sucker sizes increased from an average of 13 inches in 1982 to an average of 15 inches in 2009. Northern pike numbers declined from 4.8 fish/gillnet in 1982 to 0.6 fish /gillnet in 2009. Pike sizes in 2009 averaged 20.0 inches (1.5 lbs), which was normal for Lake Class 16 and smaller than the mean length of 23.2 inches for all investigations on Big Moose Lake. Only 7 pike were caught in 2009 and aging revealed 3 age classes (ages 2-4 years old). Pike growth appeared to be normal by area standards. Rock bass numbers in 2009 (2.0 fish/gillnet) were higher than normal for Lake Class 16 and identical to the median number per net across all Big Moose Lake investigations. Smallmouth bass numbers in 2009 (2.0 fish/gillnet) were higher than normal for this lake class and comparable to the median catch of 1.8 fish/gillnet for all investigations on this lake. Similar to previous assessments, smallmouth sizes in 2009 averaged 14.2 inches. Aging of smallmouth bass scales indicated the presence of 5 year classes and growth was faster than normal by area standards.

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

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

Big Moose has a maximum depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Big Moose is from 2024.

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