Horseshoe

Aitkin County

Near Bennettville

DOW: 01015400

WalleyeGood · 60PumpkinseedGood · 54BluegillGood · 50

A 54-acre lake near Bennettville in Aitkin County — best known for walleye and panfish. Last surveyed 1979.

Fish Species (9)

Walleye

Good · 60

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.50 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1979	1.00	-	2.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 54

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per trap net · typical 1.3–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1979	4.00	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.22 lbs

Catch rate: 9.0 per trap net · typical 4.3–32.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1979	9.00	-	0.22 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.40 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 0.5–1.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1979	1.00	-	1.40 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 47

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 10.0 per gill net · typical 1–9.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1979	10.00	-	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 13, 1979	2.00	-	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 45

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.29 lbs

Catch rate: 7.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–7.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1979	7.00	-	1.29 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 33

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 1.5–20.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1979	1.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Black Bullhead

Excellent · 86

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.94 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per trap net · typical 0.9–4.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1979	8.00	-	0.94 lbs	Standard trap nets

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1979	1.00	-	0.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 13, 1979	10.00	-	0.70 lbs	Standard trap nets

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Crappie

10 combined total

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

June 13, 1979Northern pike and panfish have good growth rate. This is a good, balanced, little lake.

Northern pike and panfish have good growth rate. This is a good, balanced, little lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Horseshoe?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie in Horseshoe. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Horseshoe?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Horseshoe. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Horseshoe?

Horseshoe has a maximum depth of 26 feet and a mean depth of 11 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Horseshoe last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Horseshoe is from 1979. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Horseshoe have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Horseshoe in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Horseshoe?

No — Horseshoe has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.