mooneye Lakes in Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan
Other SpeciesFound in 10 lakes
mooneye is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 10 lakes carry documentation. mooneye is narrowly distributed — only 10 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 LakeGrade rubric: 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 | Washington | MN | B | 78 ft | 36 |
| 2 | Sand Point Lake | St. Louis | MN | C | 184 ft | 21 |
| 3 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 4 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 5 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 6 | Sand Point Lake | St. Louis | MN | D | 184 ft | 21 |
| 7 | Sand Point Lake | St. Louis | MN | D | 184 ft | 21 |
| 8 | Winona Lake | Winona | MN | D | 38 ft | 24 |
| 9 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | F | 60 ft | 47 |
| 10 | Spring Lake | Dakota | MN | F | 17 ft | 21 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have mooneye?
mooneye are found in 10 graded lakes: 10 in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of lakes with mooneye is D (Poor).
What are the best lakes for mooneye?
The best mooneye lakes by water quality are Lake St. Croix, Sand Point Lake, St. Croix Lake, Pool of Lake St. Croix, Pool on Lake St. Croix. 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, northern pike, walleye, black bullhead. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in mooneye Lakes
Found together in 10 lakes · 41 total
Found together in 10 lakes · 240 total
Found together in 10 lakes · 99 total
Found together in 10 lakes · 840 total
Found together in 9 lakes · 28 total
Found together in 9 lakes · 1,124 total
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.