Mooneye Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 7 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. 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 phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Mooneye lake list below against each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Mooneye documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Mooneye Lakes Map
Every Minnesota lake with documented mooneye.
Best Mooneye Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St Croix | Pierce | 7.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 2 | Pool | Washington | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 3 | Pool of Lake St Croix | Washington | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 4 | Winona Lake | Winona | 2.6 ft | 38 ft |
| 5 | Sand Point Lake | St. Louis | 6.6 ft | 184 ft |
| 6 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | 3 ft | 60 ft |
| 7 | Spring Lake | Dakota | 2.1 ft | 17 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have mooneye?
Mooneye are found in 7 lakes in Minnesota.
What are the best mooneye lakes in Minnesota?
The best mooneye lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Lake St Croix, Pool, Pool of Lake St Croix, Winona Lake, Sand Point Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.