Moose

Moose Lake is located approximately three miles northeast of Orr, Minnesota. This class-16 lake has a surface area of 929 acres with a maximum depth of 10 feet. Moose Lake has one outlet (Sucker Creek), which is located on the west shore. Three inlets were noted in the 2007 survey, with most of the flow coming from Bell Lake. Aquatic vegetation is very abundant. Moose Lake has experienced periodic winterkills in the past, but there is no evidence of a winterkill occurring in recent years. The DNR owns and maintains a public access on the east shore off Kings Road. A standard survey was completed in 2025 which included gill nets and standard trap nets to evaluate Walleye stocking, assess the fish community, and to inform anglers. Fishing regulations follow statewide regulations for inland waters. Previous management plans have identified several long-range goals including providing a self-sustaining fish community with Walleye as the primary management species and Black Crappie and Northern Pike as secondary species. Moose Lake is currently being stocked with Walleye fry. Walleye gill net catch rate was 7.8 fish per net, which was average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 10.8 to 22.2 inches, with an average length of 15.5 inches. Average weight was 1.2 pounds, which was average compared to similar lakes. A total of seven year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 3 to 11 years. Several strong year-classes were produced in 2020 and 2021 and accounted for over half of the sample. Average length at age-4 was 13.3 inches, which was below average compared to other lakes in the International Falls Management Area. Moose Lake provides a good opportunity for Walleye. Northern Pike gill net catch rate was 12.5 fish per net, which was well above average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 11.8 to 36.0 inches, with an average length of 21.4 inches. Average weight was 2.5 pounds, which was above average compared to similar lakes. A total of nine year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 1 to 9 years. Over half of the Northern Pike sampled in Moose Lake were produced by strong year-classes in 2022 and 2023. Average length at age-4 was 24.8 inches, which was above average compared to other lakes in the International Falls Management Area. Moose Lake is located in the northeast regulation zone for Northern Pike. Moose Lake provides a great opportunity for Northern Pike. Black Crappie trap net catch rate was 1.3 fish per net, which was below average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 6.7 to 12.6 inches, with an average length of 10.2 inches. Average weight was 0.62 pounds, which was above average compared to similar lakes. A total of four year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 3 to 6 years. Average length at age-6 was 11.8 inches, which was above average compared to other lakes in the International Falls Management Area. Quality size Black Crappies are present in Moose Lake and provide a good opportunity for anglers. Bluegill trap net catch rate was 0.7 fish per net, which was below average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 5.7 to 8.0 inches, with an average length of 7.0 inches. Average weight was 0.30 pounds, which was above average compared to similar lakes. Quality size Bluegill are present in Moose Lake and provide a good opportunity for anglers. Largemouth Bass gill net catch rate was 2.3 fish per net, which was above average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 5.9 to 15.5 inches, with an average length of 12.5 inches. Average weight was 1.2 pounds, which was above average compared to similar lakes. Gill nets are not the preferred method for sampling Largemouth Bass, so it is likely that the Largemouth Bass sampled in gill nets are not representative of the population present in Moose Lake, but they do provide an opportunity for anglers. Yellow Perch gill net catch rate was 5.8 fish per net, which was below average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 5.9 to 11.8 inches, with an average length of 9.0 inches. Average weight was 0.34 pounds, which was above average compared to similar lakes. Yellow Perch provide an additional opportunity for anglers and more importantly act as forage for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass.

Moose Lake is a 929 acre fishery located approximately two miles northeast of Orr, MN. Moose is a shallow, productive lake with a maximum depth of ten feet. Anglers who fish on Moose Lake should keep in mind that a long winter with heavy snow cover can potentially kill off a large portion of the fish population, and as a result angling opportunities can change dramatically from year to year. Moose is primarily managed for Walleye, but between winterkill events there are also good numbers of Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch. Moose Lake has mostly been stocked annually with Walleye fry the past decade to maintain a suitable population for anglers. Black Crappie catch rates were slightly less than what would be expected from similar lakes. However, the average size was quite large. Crappies averaged 11.6 inches fish up to 13.6 inches were caught in the 2018 sample. The average weight was just under one pound. Bluegill catch rates in 2018 were the second greatest rate ever recorded in the history of Fisheries investigations at Moose Lake. The size of Bluegill was also good, with an average of 6.5 inches. There were Bluegill over 8 inches in the sample. Northern Pike are plentiful in Moose Lake. The catch rates in 2018 were greater than the expected range for similar lakes. High density populations of Northern Pike usually result in small fish, but the size of Northern Pike during the 2018 survey was also good. Pike ranged from about 17 to 34 inches and averaged 3.5 pounds. Walleye catch rates were up to their highest level recorded at Moose Lake. This is due to three successful stocked year classes from 2014 to 2016. The 2014 year class made up about three-fourths of the sample. Good sizes are available to anglers as the sample consisted of fish from 9 to nearly 18 inches, with an average of 14 inches and 1 pound. Yellow Perch catch rates were also at a record high during the 2018 survey, and much greater than what would be expected from similar lakes. Size was also quite impressive for Moose, with an average Yellow Perch measuring nearly 9 inches. There were some measured over 11 inches in the sample. Other species caught during the 2018 survey included Bullheads, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker.

Moose Lake is a 929 acre fishery located approximately two miles northeast of Orr, MN. Moose is a shallow, productive lake with a maximum depth of ten feet. The lake has a history of winterkill events, and fish surveys have shown that good numbers of Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch exist in between winterkill events. Winterkill events in 2013 and 2014, as well as stocking of Walleye fry in recent years led to a decision to complete a brief survey of the Walleye population to assess whether stocking was working in Moose Lake. The survey showed that Walleye were present, and the stocking appears to be re-establishing a population in Moose Lake. Northern Pike and Yellow Perch are also making a strong comeback, as is typical of most lakes after a winterkill. If another winterkill event does not occur, the next scheduled full survey will lend more information as to the extent of the success of the stocking program.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass 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 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Moose is from 2025.

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.