Minnesota · Cass County
Moccasin Lake Fishing guide
Moccasin Lake covers 272 acres in Cass County, Minnesota, reaching 95 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 22 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassFair numbers35.6per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 125 fish
Recent · 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 101 fish
2025Lengths measured · 24 fish
2024Lengths measured · 168 fish
2015Lengths measured · 199 fish
2005Northern pikeGood numbers13.5per gill net16"Typical38"Biggest
Lengths measured · 99 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 84 fish
2024Lengths measured · 7 fish
2024Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2024Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 19 fish
2015BluegillFair numbers39.7per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1087 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 416 fish
2024Lengths measured · 62 fish
2024Lengths measured · 609 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1062 fish
2015CrappieJust a few3.3per trap net9"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 125 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 67 fish
2024Lengths measured · 10 fish
2024Lengths measured · 48 fish
2024Lengths measured · 210 fish
2015Rock bassExcellent numbers1.5per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 54 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 30 fish
2024Lengths measured · 2 fish
2024Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 22 fish
2024Lengths measured · 145 fish
2015Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Moccasin Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 22 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 95 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 22 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 95 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Northern pike | Largemouth bass | Walleye |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | 17" | — |
| 2024 | 38" | 19" | 22" |
| 2015 | 34" | 18" | — |
| 2005 | 35" | 20" | — |
| 2000 | 34" | 18" | — |
| 1995 | 35" | 20" | — |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Moccasin Lake (DOW# 11-0296, Lake Class 32) is a 272-acre lake with 109 littoral acres, 6.1 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 95 feet located west of Longville, MN. A US Forest Service owned concrete public access is located on the eastern shore. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Moccasin Lake is in Lake Class 32; lakes in this class are characterized as low productivity Sunfish waters. Other area lakes in this class include Cooper, Island, and Long (Pinecrest) Lakes. Moccasin Lake possesses a undeveloped shoreline. The lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass, and secondarily for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. An experimental catch and release regulation for Largemouth Bass was implemented in 1996 and made permanent in 2003. A special regulation on Black Crappie and Sunfish was enacted in 2017 (daily limit of five).
Quality angling opportunities exist for Largemouth Bass in Moccasin Lake. An electrofishing survey was completed to evaluate the existing bass regulation. Largemouth Bass abundance was below management goals and lengths ranged from 8 to 18 inches, with an average length of 13 inches. Length based goals for Largemouth Bass were partially met in 2025. Since the regulation has been put in place abundance has fluctuated but average length has not increased.
Read the full DNR narrative
People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Moccasin Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Moccasin Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Moccasin Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Moccasin Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Moccasin Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- South Stocking Lake · 46 ac · 1.6 mi
- Man Lake · 491 ac · 1.8 mi
- Barnum Lake · 151 ac · 2 mi
- Baby Lake · 737 ac · 2.1 mi
- Teepee Lake · 21 ac · 2.2 mi
- Pine Lake · 261 ac · 2.4 mi
- McKeown Lake · 168 ac · 2.7 mi
- Kid Lake · 168 ac · 3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Moccasin Lake?
Moccasin Lake reaches 95 ft at its deepest point; about 40% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Moccasin Lake?
Moccasin Lake covers 272 acres with about 6.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Moccasin Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Moccasin Lake average 22 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Moccasin Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Moccasin Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Moccasin Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Moccasin Lake have a public access?
Yes. Moccasin Lake has one public access site: Moccasin Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Moccasin Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 38"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Moccasin Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Moccasin Lake in 2025, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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