Horseshoe Lake near 45.4289, -94.5322 is a lake in Stearns County, Minnesota. Horseshoe Lake covers about 627 acres, reaches a recorded 57 feet and holds about 8,839 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, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook silverside, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, channel catfish, cisco, common carp, common shiner, golden redhorse, golden shiner, greater redhorse, green sunfish, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, logperch, muskellunge, northern pike, pugnose shiner, pumpkinseed, river redhorse, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, 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, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, 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.
Muskellunge and Pike
For large predators at Horseshoe Lake, throw a bucktail, jerkbait or large rubber lure along points and weed edges for muskellunge, and cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Catfish, Bullheads, and Carp
For bottom fishing at Horseshoe Lake, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish, and fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.
Other Reported Fish
Other choices at Horseshoe Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
Rock Bass
At Horseshoe Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
Cisco
For other cold-water fish at Horseshoe Lake, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling.
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 pike or muskellunge.
Horseshoe Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 627-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 57-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 8,839 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.