Horseshoe
A 94-acre lake near Duluth in St. Louis County — best known for panfish and walleye. Last surveyed 1997.
Fish Species (9)
Above-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 27.0 per gill net · typical 3.3–18.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 1997 | 1.42 | 5.3" | 0.20 lbs |
| Aug 5, 1997 | 9.67 | 5.3" | - |
| Aug 5, 1997 | 27.00 | 5.3" | 0.26 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net · typical 0.4–4.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 1997 | 0.08 | 4.0" | 0.17 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 2.3–9.6 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 1997 | 1.00 | 14.0" | 1.09 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.7–5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 1997 | 1.00 | 8.0" | 0.57 lbs |
| Aug 5, 1997 | 0.25 | 8.0" | 0.37 lbs |
Other species in this lake (5)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Above-normal numbers
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.8 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 1997 | 54.00 | 6.1" | 0.37 lbs |
| Aug 5, 1997 | 2.83 | 6.1" | 0.29 lbs |
Typical numbers
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.4–1.6 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 1997 | 1.00 | 5.0" | - |
| Aug 5, 1997 | 0.42 | 5.0" | 0.09 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 5.3–22.1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 1997 | 6.00 | 9.5" | 0.88 lbs |
| Aug 5, 1997 | 3.83 | 9.5" | 0.84 lbs |
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.67 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 1997 | 0.67 | - | - |
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.33 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 1997 | 0.33 | - | - |
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"
Crappie
10 combined total
Sunfish
20 combined total
Perch
20 daily and 40 in possession
More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)
Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers
no limit
Bullhead
100
Biologist Notes
August 5, 1997Horseshoe is a small, shallow and heavily vegetated lake located 8 miles north of Duluth, Minnesota. Most of the lake is 5 feet deep or less and perio…
Horseshoe is a small, shallow and heavily vegetated lake located 8 miles north of Duluth, Minnesota. Most of the lake is 5 feet deep or less and periodically winter kills. Typical of winter kill lakes, black bullhead, yellow perch and white sucker dominate the fish community. The 1997 survey found the above species in moderate numbers with none of the fish aged over three years old. Additional species seen in low numbers were: pumpkinseed, golden shiner, black bullhead and walleye.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Horseshoe?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, Walleye, 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 7 feet and a mean depth of 4 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 1997. 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.
More lakes in St. Louis County
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 93.62 acres
- Max Depth
- 7 ft
- Mean Depth
- 4 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.01 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed