Horseshoe Lake near 46.5822, -94.1139 is a lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. Horseshoe Lake covers about 922 acres, reaches a recorded 55 feet and holds about 11,167 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Horseshoe Lake Affect Fishing
Horseshoe Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.
Fish and Baits at Horseshoe Lake
Fish reported from Horseshoe Lake include banded killifish, bigmouth shiner, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, golden redhorse, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, mimic shiner, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, spotfin shiner, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Horseshoe Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth, and work a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait across rock and firm points for smallmouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Horseshoe Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill and pumpkinseed, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at Horseshoe Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Horseshoe Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads
For bottom fishing at Horseshoe Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.
Rock Bass
At Horseshoe Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
How the Seasons Change Horseshoe Lake
Spring at Horseshoe Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Horseshoe Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Horseshoe Lake
On a first trip to Horseshoe Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.
Useful Tackle for Horseshoe Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Horseshoe Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Horseshoe Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 922-acre Horseshoe Lake?
At Horseshoe Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.
Should anglers fish the 55-foot deep end of Horseshoe Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Horseshoe Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 11,167 acre-foot storage figure mean at Horseshoe Lake?
At Horseshoe Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.