Today's Best Fishing Times
Get the best fishing times for Half Moon Lake with Lake-Link's Fishing Forecast. SEE MORE
Share your catch!
We want to see what you've caught on Half Moon Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About Half Moon Lake, MN
- How big is Half Moon Lake?
- How deep is Half Moon Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Half Moon Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Half Moon Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Half Moon Lake area?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Half Moon Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Half Moon Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Half Moon Lake?
How big is Half Moon Lake?
How deep is Half Moon Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Half Moon Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Central Mudminnow, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish and Tadpole Madtom.
What are the closest cities to Half Moon Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Half Moon Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there places to eat and drink near Half Moon Lake?
Explore the Half Moon Lake area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.
LUXURY Camper Van - 2022 Ford Transit. All amenities & mileage included.
Eveleth, MN
Adventure Awaits in the 2021 Heartland Mallard Pathfinder P16SRD
Hermantown, MN
History & Status of the Fishery
Half Moon Lake is a 169-acre lake with a maximum depth of 40 feet located five miles south of Eveleth off of state highway 53 in central St. Louis County. The watershed that drains into Half Moon is 1572 acres in size. This gives over nine acres of watershed draining into the lake for every acre of lake. The watershed is mainly composed of forest (47%), wetlands (29%), and residential (12%). Most of the shoreline on Half Moon Lake is owned by Minneapolis YMCA and is mostly forested with bog. There is no public access on the lake.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical and chemical characteristics. Half Moon is in lake class 10. With 46 lakes in this class, this is the most abundant lake class in the Tower Fisheries Area. Lakes in this class are typically small in size with greater than 50% of the lake less than 15 feet in depth. Lakes have soft water and are moderately clear.
Half Moon Lake has an abundant bluegill population. The bluegill trap net catch rate of 107 bluegill/net is well above the range typical for this lake class and well above what was found in the past. Bluegill ranged in length from 3.5 inches to 8.4 inches with only 5% greater than or equal to 7 inches. Bluegill grew slowly. At age four, a typical Half Moon bluegill were only 3.4 inches long.
Another member of the sunfish that anglers can have success catching is black crappie. Crappie ranged from 5.3 inches to 12.9 inches. Over a third of them were longer than 8 inches. Other members of the sunfish family that were captured in 2011 include pumpkinseed and largemouth bass.
Northern pike were more abundant in Half Moon than typical for this lake class. Pike ranged in length from 10.7 inches to 33.9 inches with an average length and weight of 20.0 inches and 2.1 pounds. Nine different year classes were identified indicating excellent natural reproduction.
Half Moon Lake was selected for fish index of biotic integrity (IBI) sampling. This index is designed to help determine the overall health of the biological fish community of the lake. This type of sampling will typically capture the non-game species and young-of-year game species. Eleven different species were identified. Central mudminnow, golden shiner, and tadpole madtom were non-game species sampled. Bluegill, largemouth bass, and yellow perch young-of-year were also sampled. One yellow bullhead was also sampled.
In 2011, an aquatic plant survey was conducted on Half Moon Lake for the first time since 1975. Forty-five plant species were identified with watershield and Robbins pondweed rated as abundant. Aquatic plants are very important for the overall health of the aquatic community. Development pressure is increasing around the shorelines and within the watersheds of many Minnesota lakes. This development can degrade water quality and impact valuable shoreline habitat. Native shoreline vegetation provides habitat for fish and wildlife, filters harmful nutrients, and protects against shoreline erosion. Lakeshore owners can minimize their impact on the shoreline and maintain a more natural setting while actually decreasing annual maintenance. For more information on how to accomplish this, contact the nearest Area Fisheries office or visit www.mndnr.gov and look up shoreland management.
What is the average air temp for Half Moon Lake?
Are there any state parks near Half Moon Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Half Moon Lake...DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
Moon Lake | 1.0 mi | 44 | 47 ft |
Pleasant Lake | 1.1 mi | 335 | 33 ft |
Horseshoe Lake | 2.2 mi | 88 | 13 ft |
St. Mary's Lake | 3.1 mi | 234 | 44 ft |
Burns Pit | 4.7 mi | 13 | 95 ft |
Ely Lake | 4.8 mi | 723 | 70 ft |
Crystal Lake | 5.2 mi | 37 | 54 ft |
Elliot Lake | 5.7 mi | 373 | 13 ft |
Heikkila Lake | 5.8 mi | 69 | 18 ft |
Murphy Lake (Horseshoe) | 5.9 mi | 395 | 24 ft |