Horse

Lake County

Near Winton

DOW: 38079200

Northern PikeExcellent · 75Yellow PerchGood · 69WalleyeGood · 57

A 715-acre lake near Winton in Lake County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1991.

Fish Species (8)

Northern Pike

Excellent · 75

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.48 lbs

Catch rate: 4.1 per gill net · typical 1.2–3.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 12, 1991	4.14	-	3.48 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 1974	4.17	-	2.70 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 69

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 10.3 per gill net · typical 1.9–7.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 12, 1991	10.29	-	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 1974	0.17	-	0.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Good · 57

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.30 lbs

Catch rate: 4.1 per gill net · typical 3.1–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 12, 1991	4.14	-	1.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 1974	3.50	-	1.71 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.98 lbs

Catch rate: 0.71 per gill net · typical 0.3–0.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 12, 1991	0.71	-	0.98 lbs	Standard gill nets

Rock Bass

Average · 36

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.18 lbs

Catch rate: 2.1 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 12, 1991	2.14	-	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 1974	5.67	-	0.23 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 2.4 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 12, 1991	2.43	-	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 1974	2.17	-	0.33 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.

Shorthead Redhorse

Excellent · 91

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.39 lbs

Catch rate: 2.9 per gill net · typical 0.2–0.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 12, 1991	2.86	-	2.39 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 1974	1.00	-	2.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Good · 72

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.64 lbs

Catch rate: 8.1 per gill net · typical 2.8–6.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 12, 1991	8.14	-	1.64 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 1974	2.67	-	2.62 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best northern pike lakes in Minnesota

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").

Rock Bass

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

no limit

Biologist Notes

June 12, 1991Fish populations are dominated by white sucker and northern pike, followed by walleye, yellow perch and shorthead redhorse. Low numbers of cisco, blue…

Fish populations are dominated by white sucker and northern pike, followed by walleye, yellow perch and shorthead redhorse. Low numbers of cisco, bluegill, rock bass and smallmouth bass were also captured in this gillnet assessment. Cisco sizes ranged from 5 in the area. Size of other fish are average for the area. Walleye year class strength appears to be erratic, dominated by a strong 1988 year class. Walleye growth (13.3 average for the area. Yellow perch recruitment is good and growth is average.

September 5, 1974Walleyes are present in average numbers and sizes. Northern pike and bluegills are present in above average numbers and about average weights. Perch,…

Walleyes are present in average numbers and sizes. Northern pike and bluegills are present in above average numbers and about average weights. Perch, cisco, and suckers are below average for this area. Rock bass are numerous.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Horse?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Rock Bass in Horse. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Horse?

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

How deep is Horse?

Horse has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Horse last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Horse is from 1991. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Horse have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Horse?

No — Horse 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.