Horseshoe

Crow Wing County

Near Merrifield

DOW: 18023400

Northern PikeExcellent · 84Yellow PerchGood · 71PumpkinseedGood · 50

A 43-acre lake near Merrifield in Crow Wing County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1993.

Fish Species (7)

Northern Pike

Excellent · 84

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

23.9"

Avg Weight

3.78 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per gill net

Size of catchable northern pike63% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 37%Largest sampled 26"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1993	8.00	23.9"	3.78 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 71

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.3"

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 12.0 per gill net

Size of catchable yellow perch13% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 87%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1993	2.50	5.3"	0.21 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 16, 1993	12.00	5.3"	0.13 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 16, 1993	14.67	5.3"	0.04 lbs	Special trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 50

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.7"

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 22.0 per trap net

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1993	3.00	3.7"	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 16, 1993	48.00	3.7"	-	Special trap nets
Jun 16, 1993	22.00	3.7"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Good · 50

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.33 lbs

Catch rate: 29.3 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1993	104.33	5.0"	0.01 lbs	Special trap nets
Jun 16, 1993	29.25	5.0"	0.33 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 45

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.9"

Avg Weight

0.05 lbs

Catch rate: 92.5 per trap net

Size of catchable bluegill0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1993	7.00	3.9"	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 16, 1993	157.00	3.9"	-	Special trap nets
Jun 16, 1993	92.50	3.9"	0.05 lbs	Standard trap 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.

White Sucker

Excellent · 80

Above-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

18.2"

Avg Weight

2.84 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1993	2.00	18.2"	2.84 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 16, 1993	1.33	18.2"	-	Special trap nets
Jun 16, 1993	1.75	18.2"	4.37 lbs	Standard trap nets

Golden Shiner

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1993	0.33	-	-	Special trap nets

See the best northern pike 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).

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").

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

no limit

Biologist Notes

June 16, 1993Compared to similar lakes, bluegills and pumpkinseeds were found in high abundance in 1993. Bluegills were generally small and slow growing. Northern…

Compared to similar lakes, bluegills and pumpkinseeds were found in high abundance in 1993. Bluegills were generally small and slow growing. Northern pike, white suckers and yellow perch were found in "average" numbers. Northern pike and yellow perch both showed good growth rates.Present development is a single cabin. Because the lake is small (40 acres), protection of fish habitat and spawning areas is very important. Sandy shoreline areas and bulrush beds provide important spawning habitat for sunfish. The shallow bays on the south end of the lake provide limited spawning area for northern pike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Horseshoe?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid Sunfish, 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 28 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 1993. 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 perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.