Moose Lake
About Moose Lake
Moose Lake is a 1,026-acre lake near Hovland in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 113 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 52 feet, and has roughly 16.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, burbot, and tullibee (cisco). The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. Moose Lake #5 and Moose Lake #4 are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Moose Lake
- 1,026 acres, up to 113 feet deep, near Hovland
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, burbot, and tullibee (cisco)
- Average water clarity around 14.3 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at Moose Lake #5 and Moose Lake #4
- Border water with Canada — know which side of the line you are fishing on
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,026 acres
- Max depth
- 113 ft
- Average depth
- 52 ft
- Shoreline
- 16.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 14.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 146 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
- Border-water seasons and limits with Canada differ from Minnesota inland rules
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping: Moose Lake #5, Moose Lake #4, and Moose Lake #3
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 8
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
Moose Lake #5, Moose Lake #4, Moose Lake #3, and Moose Lake #2 are mapped on or near Moose Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Moose Lake
Compare Moose Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Moose Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Moose Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Moose Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
East Pike Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland554 acres
2 miles away
John Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland191 acres
2.4 miles away
McFarland Lake
76 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland386 acres
3.2 miles away
North Fowl Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland1,040 acres
3.3 miles away
Stump Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland254 acres
4.3 miles away
Long Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland148 acres
4.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Moose Lake?
Moose Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Hovland. It covers 1,026 acres and reaches 113 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Moose Lake?
Moose Lake covers 1,026 acres with about 16.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 113 feet and its average depth is about 52 feet.
What fish can you catch at Moose Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), and Lake Whitefish. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Moose Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Moose Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Moose Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Moose Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Moose Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Moose Lake?
Yes. Moose Lake #5, Moose Lake #4, and Moose Lake #3 are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.