Horseshoe

Cook County

Near Maple Hill

DOW: 16024100

WalleyeGood · 52Smallmouth BassAverage · 42Yellow PerchAverage · 42

A 188-acre lake near Maple Hill in Cook County — best known for walleye and bass. Last surveyed 1990.

Fish Species (6)

Walleye

Good · 52

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.23 lbs

Catch rate: 4.8 per gill net · typical 3–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	4.83	-	1.23 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Average · 42

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.66 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 0.5–5.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	0.33	-	0.66 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 42

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 4.3 per gill net · typical 2.2–14.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	4.33	-	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 34

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.12 lbs

Catch rate: 1.7 per gill net · typical 2–6.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	1.67	-	1.12 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.03 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	1.83	-	0.03 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (1)

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

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	13.17	-	2.05 lbs	Standard gill 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

Northeast zone

Angling: 2 (not more than 1 over 40" in possession. All from 30-40" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 8, 2026

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth

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

Northeast zone

Darkhouse spearing: 2 (Not more than 1 over 26").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Biologist Notes

August 8, 1990WALLEYE ABUNDANCE WAS GOOD, WITH MOST OF THE FISH COLLECTED IN THE 12-16 RANGE. A WIDE RANGE OF YEAR CLASSES WERE REPRESENTED, BUT NO AGE II WALLEYES…

WALLEYE ABUNDANCE WAS GOOD, WITH MOST OF THE FISH COLLECTED IN THE 12-16 RANGE. A WIDE RANGE OF YEAR CLASSES WERE REPRESENTED, BUT NO AGE II WALLEYES WERE COLLECTED. THE 1986 AND 1987 YEAR CLASSES EACH COMPRISED 34% OF THE WALLEYE COLLECT- ED. WALLEYE GROWTH WAS AVERAGE FOR COOK COUNTY. NORTHERN PIKE ABUNDANCE WAS LOW AND NO LARGE FISH WERE COLLECTED. SEVERAL NORTHERN PIKE YEAR CLASSES WERE REPRESENTED, AND GROWTH WAS AVERAGE FOR COOK COUNTY. YELLOW PERCH WERE FAIRLY ABUNDANT, AND SOME LARGE (>10 IN) FISH WERE SAMPLED. SEVERAL YEAR-CLASSES WERE REPRESENTED AND GROWTH WAS AVERAGE FOR COOK COUNTY.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Horseshoe?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike 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, 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 1990. 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.