Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest May 27, 2025
Little Moose Lake FishingNRNot rated for water quality
Minnesota DNR surveys at Little Moose Lake average 4.38 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated May 27, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–12 inches. In Itasca County, Minnesota, Little Moose Lake has no letter grade — the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity. Water clarity averages 8.0 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Little Moose Lake
13 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Little Moose Lake
No stocking record for Little Moose Lake appears in the Minnesota DNR material on file. That is an absence in the published record, not a confirmation that the lake is unstocked — some waters are managed as naturally reproducing and never appear in a stocking list at all.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Little Moose Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Little Moose Lake average 4.38 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated May 27, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–12 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Little Moose Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 4 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
11 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-05-27 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 12.75 | 0.12 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 6.74 | — |
| Largemouth Bass | 4.38 | 1.2 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Yellow Perch
Largemouth Bass
From the 2025-05-27 survey
Little Moose Lake is located 12 miles northeast of Deer River, Minnesota. The 271-acre lake has 123 littoral acres, a maximum depth of 23 feet. Little Moose is managed primarily for Black Crappie and Bluegill while secondarily for Muskie, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Spring targeted sampling for panfish had…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Little Moose Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Little MooseFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Little Moose (0607)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Little MoosePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Little Moose Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Little Moose Lake average 4.38 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated May 27, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–12 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 13 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Little Moose Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Little Moose Lake is dated May 27, 2025. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Little Moose Lake stocked?
No stocking record for Little Moose Lake appears in the Minnesota DNR material on file. That is not the same as a confirmed unstocked lake: it means no stocking document was published for it in the records this page draws on.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Little Moose Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Little Moose Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 4 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Little Moose Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Little Moose Lake
Planning a trip to Little Moose Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Little Moose Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.