Horseshoe

Crow Wing County

Near Bay Lake

DOW: 18004300

Black CrappieExcellent · 98Hybrid SunfishExcellent · 98Northern PikeExcellent · 88

A 34-acre lake near Bay Lake in Crow Wing County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1990.

Fish Species (5)

Black Crappie

Excellent · 98

Above-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 9.5 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 6, 1990	9.50	-	-	Standard gill nets
Aug 6, 1990	1.00	-	0.48 lbs	Standard trap nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Excellent · 98

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.46 lbs

Catch rate: 3.5 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 6, 1990	3.50	-	0.46 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Excellent · 88

Above-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.33 lbs

Catch rate: 16.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 6, 1990	16.00	-	2.33 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 6, 1990	1.00	-	2.48 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 73

Typical numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 22.0 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 6, 1990	22.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 6, 1990	6.00	-	-	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.22 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 6, 1990	0.50	-	0.22 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best black crappie lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

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

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").

Biologist Notes

August 6, 1990NOP POPULATION HAS ABOVE AVERAGE NUMBERS, AVERAGE SIZE, AND SLIGHTLY BELOW AVERAGE GROWTH. BLG POPULATION HAS AVERAGE NUMBERS AND BELOW AVERAGE SIZE W…

NOP POPULATION HAS ABOVE AVERAGE NUMBERS, AVERAGE SIZE, AND SLIGHTLY BELOW AVERAGE GROWTH. BLG POPULATION HAS AVERAGE NUMBERS AND BELOW AVERAGE SIZE WITH BELOW AVERAGE GROWTH. BLCS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED SINCE 1955 AND SHOW BELOW AVERAGE NUMBERS WITH ABOVE AVERAGE SIZE. THIS LAKE SURVEY WAS COMPLETED AS PART OF RESEARCH STUDY #392675.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Horseshoe?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, and Bluegill 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 30 feet and a mean depth of 15 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 crappie limit is: 10 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.