Minnesota · Itasca County
Moose Lake Fishing guide
Moose Lake is a 1,273-acre lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, reaching 61 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 8.6 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 27 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers5.3per gill net16"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 66 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 66 fish
2023Lengths measured · 128 fish
2018Lengths measured · 9 fish
2018Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 44 fish
2018Northern pikeJust a few2.8per gill net24"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 33 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 33 fish
2023Lengths measured · 205 fish
2018Lengths measured · 26 fish
2018Lengths measured · 35 fish
2013Present in recent DNR surveys.
BluegillJust a few15per trap net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 166 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 166 fish
2023Lengths measured · 178 fish
2018Lengths measured · 89 fish
2013Lengths measured · 209 fish
2010CrappieJust a few3.5per trap net7"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 84 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 84 fish
2023Lengths measured · 64 fish
2018Lengths measured · 34 fish
2013Lengths measured · 19 fish
2010Yellow perchOne of the best around37.5per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 475 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 475 fish
2023Lengths measured · 242 fish
2018Lengths measured · 458 fish
2013Lengths measured · 472 fish
2010Last recorded in the 2018 survey and not seen since.
Rock bassOne of the best around5.2per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 118 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 118 fish
2023Lengths measured · 116 fish
2018Lengths measured · 89 fish
2013Lengths measured · 189 fish
2010Rates 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 Moose Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 61 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- 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 61 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 | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 25" | — | 17" |
| 2018 | 27" | 14" | 20" |
| 2013 | 24" | 9" | — |
| 2012 | 28" | — | — |
| 2011 | 29" | — | — |
| 2010 | 29" | 17" | 17" |
| 2009 | 30" | — | — |
| 2006 | 24" | 15" | 13" |
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:
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
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 7,281 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 10,683 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 345,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 345,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 345,000 fry |
| 2020 | Walleye | 9,361 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 345,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Moose Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 24.6 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 24.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 0.2 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present but marginal for Cisco.
Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 21.1 degrees C (70.0 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco as the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat at the time of the survey.
Read the full DNR narrative
Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2006, 2010, and 2023 indicated variable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2006 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 0.7 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Moose Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Moose 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
- Moose Lake (trailer launch)
- Moose Lake (S) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Moose Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Moose Lake · 289 ac · 1.4 mi
- Deer Lake · 4,094 ac · 1.8 mi
- Cottonwood Lake · 133 ac · 2.3 mi
- Little Deer Lake · 67 ac · 2.3 mi
- Island Lake · 285 ac · 3 mi
- Chase Lake · 211 ac · 3.1 mi
- Long Lake · 46 ac · 3.7 mi
- Lucky Lake · 14 ac · 4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Moose Lake?
Moose Lake reaches 61 ft at its deepest point; about 27% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Moose Lake?
Moose Lake covers 1,273 acres with about 7.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Moose Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Moose Lake average 8.6 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Moose Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, tiger muskellunge, rock bass.
Is Moose Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2019.
Does Moose Lake have a public access?
Yes. Moose Lake has 2 public access sites, including Moose Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Moose Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2006.
When was Moose Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Moose Lake in 2025, the most recent of 27 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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