Half Moon

Crow Wing County

Near Trommald

DOW: 18023800

PumpkinseedGood · 74Black CrappieGood · 55Yellow PerchGood · 52

A 42-acre lake near Trommald in Crow Wing County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 1985.

Fish Species (11)

Pumpkinseed

Good · 74

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 5.7 per trap net · typical 0.8–8.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1985	5.67	-	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Good · 55

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.75 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1.5–14.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1985	0.50	-	0.75 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 15, 1985	0.33	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 52

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 3–26.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1985	2.67	-	0.56 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 15, 1985	2.50	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 48

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1985	1.00	-	0.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 46

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.23 lbs

Catch rate: 6.5 per gill net · typical 1.5–7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1985	6.50	-	1.23 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Average · 44

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.50 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 1–7.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1985	1.00	-	1.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 41

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 16.3 per trap net · typical 1.9–29.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1985	1.00	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 15, 1985	16.33	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (4)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Brown Bullhead

Good · 62

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.00 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per trap net · typical 1.4–6.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1985	2.00	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 15, 1985	0.50	-	1.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Good · 59

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.00 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–7.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1985	0.50	-	3.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Bullhead

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 9.6–91.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1985	2.50	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 46

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.42 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per trap net · typical 0.8–6.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1985	2.00	-	0.42 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best pumpkinseed lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Special regulations on this lake

DNR special regulations override the statewide limits.

Crappie and Sunfish
Mississippi River from Brainerd Dam upstream to Highway 6 including Rice, Little Rabbit, and Half Moon Lakes and connected backwaters
Daily limit five.

Statewide limits

Statewide limits — apply unless a special regulation above overrides them.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Overridden on this lake — see special regulation above.

Crappie

10 combined total

Overridden on this lake — see special regulation above.

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 15, 1985A high population of bowfin is present along with an adequate amount of northern pike, bluegill, redhorse, yellow perch and largemouth bass. Small pop…

A high population of bowfin is present along with an adequate amount of northern pike, bluegill, redhorse, yellow perch and largemouth bass. Small populations of bullhead, black crappie, walleye, white sucker, and pumpkinseed are present.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Half Moon?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike in Half Moon. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Half Moon?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Half Moon. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Half Moon?

Half Moon has a maximum depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Half Moon last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Half Moon is from 1985. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Half Moon have any invasive species?

Yes — Half Moon has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

Are there special fishing regulations on Half Moon?

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for Half Moon, covering crappie and sunfish. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.