Mooneye Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 7 graded lakes across 1 state
Mooneye is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 7 lakes carry documentation. Mooneye is narrowly distributed — only 7 lakes in Minnesota have a documented record. The constraint is usually habitat: cold water, specific depth profile, or river connection.
Rough-fish-dominant lakes are worth checking the grade on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Mooneye lake list below against the letter grades: lakes with both an A or B grade and Mooneye documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Mooneye Lakes
Best Mooneye Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with mooneye ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St Croix | Pierce | MN | B | 78 ft | 36 |
| 2 | Pool | Washington | MN | B | 78 ft | 36 |
| 3 | Pool of Lake St Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 4 | Winona Lake | Winona | MN | F | 38 ft | 24 |
| 5 | Sand Point Lake | St. Louis | MN | NR | 184 ft | 21 |
| 6 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | NR | 60 ft | 47 |
| 7 | Spring Lake | Dakota | MN | NR | 17 ft | 21 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have mooneye?
Mooneye are found in 7 graded lakes: 7 in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of lakes with mooneye is C (Fair).
What are the best lakes for mooneye?
The best mooneye lakes by water quality are Lake St Croix, Pool, Pool of Lake St Croix, Winona Lake, Sand Point Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where mooneye have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with mooneye?
Mooneye are most commonly found alongside black crappie, bluegill, mooneye, northern pike, walleye. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Mooneye Lakes
Found together in 7 lakes · 1,428 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 1,601 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 2,487 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 1,982 total
Found together in 6 lakes · 937 total
Found together in 6 lakes · 506 total
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.