mooneye Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 14 Minnesota 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. 14 lakes carry documentation. mooneye is narrowly distributed — only 14 Minnesota lakes and 0 Wisconsin lakes 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.
Best mooneye Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | B | 5.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 2 | Sand Point Lake | St. Louis | C | 7.5 ft | 184 ft |
| 3 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | C | 8.7 ft | 78 ft |
| 4 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | C | 9.4 ft | 78 ft |
| 5 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 6 | Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge | Washington | C | 5 ft | 78 ft |
| 7 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 8 | St. Croix 3.5 Mi. Downstream of E Chestnut St Lake | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 9 | St. Croix 0.3 Mi. Downstream of I Lake | Washington | C | 6.1 ft | 78 ft |
| 10 | Sand Point Lake | St. Louis | D | 6.6 ft | 184 ft |
| 11 | Sand Point Lake | St. Louis | D | 5.9 ft | 184 ft |
| 12 | Winona Lake | Winona | D | 2.6 ft | 38 ft |
| 13 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | F | 3 ft | 60 ft |
| 14 | Spring Lake | Dakota | F | 2.1 ft | 17 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have mooneye?
mooneye are found in 14 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is D (Poor).
What are the best mooneye lakes in Minnesota?
The best mooneye lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Lake St. Croix, Sand Point Lake, St. Croix Lake, St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake, Pool of Lake St. Croix.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.