Fishing Halfmoon Lake

Halfmoon Lake produces exceptionally large bluegills averaging 7.5 inches with 96% at keeper size, earning an excellent quality rating of 6.3 on the state's 1-7 scale. Bluegill growth runs nearly one inch above state average, with fish living up to 10 years showing unusual longevity. Black crappie also grow well above average at 7.4 inches average length, though they're shorter-lived than the bluegills. Both largemouth bass and northern pike show well above average growth rates, though low trap net catches make assessment difficult. The lake's steep drop-offs reach 87 feet deep with 75% of the surface area over 10 feet deep, creating challenging fishing conditions that may leave gamefish underutilized despite their quality. Bottom composition varies from marl in shallows to muck and pulpy peat in deep water, with scattered gravel and sand areas. Vegetation is limited to scattered bulrush, water lilies, pondweeds, and chara. Temperature stratification is strong with very low dissolved oxygen below 25 feet by August, eliminating trout habitat. The presence of large carp averaging over 27 inches and 9 pounds has increased dramatically since past surveys, now comprising 70% of total fish biomass. Twenty fish cover structures were placed near the northeast shore in 15 feet of water to concentrate fish for anglers. Cisco populations that existed since 1942 may now be extinct, likely due to oxygen depletion in deep water during summer stratification.