The European carp has been around since its introduction in the 1890s. Cyprinus carpio is really a minnow, that is, it’s in the minnow family (Cyprinidae). Fish sampling in Moses Lake by a State Fish and Wildlife (WA DFW) crew reported an average size carp of 8 pounds, which does not seem like a “minnow".

Attention Lake Boaters & Dock Owners The outlet gates at the North Dam will be closed on Monday, April 6, 2026. Moses Lake's elevation level will begin to rise. The lake elevation target is 1047.5 by June 1, 2026.

The lake’s water quality is judged from MLIRD’s sampling at six main lake sites twice per month during spring-summer, including lower Parker Horn, South Lake, lower Pelican Horn, and lower, middle, and upper Rocky Ford Arm. These six sites represent 91% of the total lake area, not including middle Pelican and upper Parker, which are also sampled, as well as inflows.