Horseshoe

Washington County

Near Lake Elmo

DOW: 82007400

Black CrappieGood · 52BluegillAverage · 29Yellow PerchAverage · 26

A 75-acre lake near Lake Elmo in Washington County — best known for panfish. Last surveyed 1993.

Fish Species (10)

Black Crappie

Good · 52

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.3"

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 32.8 per trap net

Size of catchable black crappie1% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 99%Largest sampled 10"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1993	19.00	6.3"	0.13 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 10, 1993	32.78	6.3"	0.16 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 29

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.3"

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 16.9 per trap net

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

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 5"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1993	16.89	4.3"	0.08 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 26

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.6"

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1993	1.00	5.6"	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 10, 1993	3.00	5.6"	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 19

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.5"

Avg Weight

0.05 lbs

Catch rate: 0.44 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1993	0.44	3.5"	0.05 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

12.0"

Avg Weight

2.11 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1993	0.22	12.0"	2.11 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

34.5"

Avg Weight

9.49 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1993	0.22	34.5"	9.49 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (4)

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

Common Carp

Excellent · 80

Above-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

16.4"

Avg Weight

2.26 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1993	1.00	16.4"	2.26 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 10, 1993	0.44	16.4"	2.28 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Poor · 14

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

8.1"

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1993	6.00	8.1"	0.39 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 10, 1993	0.11	8.1"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets

Golden Shiner

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.05 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1993	0.11	5.0"	0.05 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.0"

Avg Weight

1.90 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1993	0.11	17.0"	1.90 lbs	Standard trap 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

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

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

August 10, 1993STATUS OF FISHERY: The fish population of this lake is dominated by small crappie and small bluegill. Less than1% of the crappie sampled and none of t…

STATUS OF FISHERY: The fish population of this lake is dominated by small crappie and small bluegill. Less than1% of the crappie sampled and none of the bluegill sampled were large enough for most anglers to keep. Two sub-legal hybrid muskie and two larger northern pike, believed to be migrants from Lake Elmo, were taken during thisinvestigation. Local reports indicate that 30 to 40 inch hybrid muskie are caught quite readily in this lake. The lack of public access and suitable parking area are major limiting factors to fishing on this lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Horseshoe?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Pumpkinseed 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 11.3 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?

Yes — Horseshoe has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

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.