Lost Moose

Lost Moose Lake has a history of frequent partial fishkills following severe winters because it is shallow. Adult brood fish, primarily sunfish, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass, have occasionally been stocked to assist in rebuilding the fishery. Fishkills were reported following the winters of 2022-23 and 2023-24. An investigation in May of 2023 found Northern Pike, Yellow Perch and Pumpkinseed Sunfish. Masses of Yellow Perch eggs were also observed. The species that survived are tolerant of lower winter oxygen levels and are appropriate for the lake. Stocking of brood fish was not warranted since adult fish were present. In the spring of 2025, fish were shocked or observed in the shallows in most areas investigated. Eight species were documented [Golden Shiners >50, Blacknose Shiners >15, Yellow Perch >25 (various ages and sizes up to 8 inches), Pumpkinseed Sunfish >20, Northern Pike - roughly 8 less than 20 inches, Black Crappie - 2 that were about 10 inches, Largemouth Bass - 2 that ranged from 12 to 15 inches, Bluegill - 1 that was about 7.5 inches]. Yellow Perch egg masses were also observed in numerous areas. The number and diversity of fish were sufficient to repopulate the lake. The results were once again an indication that complete winterkills are extremely rare and these types of lakes are very resilient. It may require three to five, or even more years, to recover from a winterkill event but stocking adults is unlikely to reduce the recovering time. Therefore, stocking species that are not tolerant to low oxygen conditions is not recommended.

Lost Moose Lake has a history of frequent partial fishkills following severe winters because it is shallow. Adult brood fish, primarily sunfish, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass, have occasionally been stocked to assist in rebuilding the fishery. Fishkills were reported following the winters of 2022-23 and 2023-24. An investigation in May of 2023 found Northern Pike, Yellow Perch and Pumpkinseed Sunfish. Masses of Yellow Perch eggs were also observed. The species that survived are tolerant of lower winter oxygen levels and are appropriate for the lake. Stocking of brood fish was not warranted since adult fish were present. In the spring of 2025, fish were shocked or observed in the shallows in most areas investigated. Eight species were documented [Golden Shiners >50, Blacknose Shiners >15, Yellow Perch >25 (various ages and sizes up to 8 inches), Pumpkinseed Sunfish >20, Northern Pike - roughly 8 less than 20 inches, Black Crappie - 2 that were about 10 inches, Largemouth Bass - 2 that ranged from 12 to 15 inches, Bluegill - 1 that was about 7.5 inches]. Yellow Perch egg masses were also observed in numerous areas. The number and diversity of fish were sufficient to repopulate the lake. The results were once again an indication that complete winterkills are extremely rare and these types of lakes are very resilient. It may require three to five, or even more years, to recover from a winterkill event but stocking adults is unlikely to reduce the recovering time. Therefore, stocking species that are not tolerant to low oxygen conditions is not recommended.

Lost Moose Lake has a history of frequent partial winterkill events following severe winters and adult fish, primarily sunfish, bass and crappie, have been occassionally stocked to help maintain a fishery. A winterkill of Lost Moose was reported in May of 2023. The event was investigated using boat electrofishing on May 12th. A few dead Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and one potential crappie were observed. Live Northern Pike (12-20 inches), Yellow Perch, and Pumpkinseed were observed in shallow water indicating that a complete kill had not occurred and sufficient brood fish were present to naturally repopulate the lake. Masses of perch egggs were observed. The species that survived the winterkill are tolerant of lower winter oxygen and appropriate for the lake. Given the fact that live fish were observed, brood fish stocking is not needed.

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

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Lost Moose. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Lost Moose has a maximum depth of 16 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Lost Moose is from 2011. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

No invasive species are on record for Lost Moose in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

No — Lost Moose has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide sunfish limit is: 20 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.