Mooneye across Minnesota
Minnesota rules, records and lakes for mooneye.
- n/alimit
- 2 lb 1 ozrecord
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lake Pepin: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Minnesota mooneye at a glance
Mooneye belongs to the mooneye family on the DNR list. There is no species limit row for it.
The state record is 2 lb 1 oz, taken from Wabasha Creek in 2024. DNR surveys list it in 8 lakes; 8 of them have a page here. The best gill net rate belongs to Spring Lake, Dakota County: 5 per net.
Heaviest mooneye on record
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| certified weight | 2 lb 1 oz | Wabasha Creek | Redwood | 2024 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Highest mooneye survey catch
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Lake, Dakota County | 5 | 0.95 | 2001 | |
| Lake Pepin | 1.5 | 0.67 | 2024 | |
| St. Croix River | 0.59 | 0.73 | 2024 | |
| Little Vermilion Lake | 0.12 | 0.86 | 2021 | |
| Sand Point Lake | 0.07 | 1.02 | 2025 | |
| Lake of the Woods | 0.03 | 0.54 | 2025 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Where DNR surveys place mooneye
Big lakes for mooneye
- Lake of the Woods725,583 acres
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Sand Point Lake8,527 acres
- St. Croix River8,393 acres
- Crane Lake, St. Louis County2,921 acres
- Spring Lake, Dakota County1,494 acres
- Little Vermilion Lake1,288 acres
- Lake Winona308 acres
Flowing water with mooneye
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Species grouped with mooneye
- Goldeyemooneye family
Shorelines around Mooneye
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain
Photo: Jon Platek, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jimmy Dreger, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
Answers before you chase mooneye
Which Minnesota rules govern keeping mooneye?
The tables have no row for it.
What is the biggest mooneye caught in Minnesota?
2 lb 1 oz from Wabasha Creek (2024).
Which Minnesota waters hold mooneye?
Spring Lake, Dakota County leads the DNR gill net catch at 5 per net; 9 waters on this site list it.
Does the DNR stock mooneye?
The stocking pages here do not list it.
Which features mark mooneye?
See the DNR profile.
Does Minnesota close the season on mooneye?
No season is listed.
Which license do mooneye anglers buy in Minnesota?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Can I hire a trip for mooneye?
All Minnesota operators are on the guides page.
Fish for mooneye this season
Every listed water opens its own Minnesota page.