Little Hanging Horn

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Little Hanging Horn Lake on August 22nd, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco (also known as Tullibee), the most sensitive coldwater species in this lake. Cisco requires a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 68.9 feet), the water temperature decreased to 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 11.0 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 17.4 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 6.4 feet deep, indicating that oxythermal habitat for Cisco was present. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 13.3 degrees C (55.9 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 also indicated a suitable oxythermal habitat, measuring 4.0 feet deep. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Little Hanging Horn Lake is a small, relatively deep lake located 1.5 miles south of Barnum in the Kettle River watershed. The lake is moderately developed and is connected to Hanging Horn Lake by a culvert under County Road 13 and is part of a chain of lakes (Little Hanging Horn, Hanging Horn and Eddy) on the Moose Horn River. The water is a darker bog-stained color. A state-owned public back-in access is located at the north end of the lake and a carry-in access with limited shore fishing opportunities exist on the south end off County Road 13. The 2000 lake management plan (LMP) listed Largemouth Bass as the primary management species. The LMP goals were to maintain a moderate Largemouth Bass population with fish over 15 inches present. Little Hanging Horn Lake was assessed during the summer of 2024 to provide updated information about fish populations. Spring electrofishing targeting Largemouth Bass captured 19 fish ranging from 3.9 to 17.7 inches long. Little Hanging Horn Lake appears to have a moderate size quality, with five preferred-size Largemouth Bass (>15 inches) sampled and could provide good angling opportunities. Lakes with similar characteristics do not typically support strong Walleye populations, although catches from Little Hanging Horn Lake have occasionally been above average in the past. Only one 19.5-inch Walleye was sampled in 2024. The Northern Pike gill net abundance for Little Hanging Horn Lake was below average compared to similar lakes. Gill net sampled Northern Pike ranged from 13.1 to 29.8 inches with an average length of 21.8 inches. The Northern Pike population offers a decent opportunity for anglers including some angler-preferred size fish. Bluegill catch of 5.6 per trap net was below average when compared to other similar lakes. Bluegill averaged 5.0 inches in length with some fish over 8 inches present. Size distribution of Bluegill was moderate with 20% exceeding quality size (greater than 6 inches) and 2% exceeding preferred size (greater than 8 inches), but none exceeding memorable size (greater than 10 inches). Bluegill populations appear stable, but fish less than six inches long may dominate anglers catch.

Little Hanging Horn is a 117 acre lake with 51 (44%) acres of littoral aea and a maximum depth of 70 feet. Little Hanging Horn is located just southeast of Barnum, MN off Highway #13. Little Hanging Horn has a Township administered public access at the northern most point of the lake. Access can also be gained at the Highway #13 causeway at the south corner of the west arm. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked in 1998, 1995, 1993 and 1991. Walleye fry have been stocked in 1989 and 1987. Fish population investigations have been conducted in 1959, 1971, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1996 and 2000. Largemouth bass have been sampled with electrofishing in 1992, 1996 and 2000. Walleye abundance indexed with assessment nets was 0.5 per lift. This index value was below average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Too few walleye were sampled to make an accurate determination of size and growth rate. From a sample of aged walleye it was determined that 2 of 6 were born in years that walleye fingerlings were stocked. Northern pike abundance indexed with assessment nets was 6.3 per lift. This value was near average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Size of northern pike was poor and growth was slow. Mean length of sampled northern pike was 19.3 inches and length at the beginning of their fifth year of life was 19.4 inches. From a sample of aged northern pike it was determined that 69% were born in 1997 or 1998. Black crappie abundance indexed with assessment nets was 1.8 per lift. This index value was near average compared to other minnesota lakes of similar type. Size of black crappie was poor but growth was fast. Mean length of sampled black crappie was 6.5 inches and length at the beginning of their fifth year of life was 8.5 inches. From a sample of aged black crappie it was determined that no crappie were older than age IV. Bluegill abundance indexed with assessment nets was 6.3 per lift. This index value was much below average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Size of bluegill was poor and growth was very slow. Mean length of sampled bluegill was 5.0 iches and length at the beginning of their fifth year of life was 3.4 inches. From a sample of aged bluegill it was determined that 1995 and 1997 were strong year classes. Largemouth bass were sampled during a spring electrofishing assessment conducted on the night of 5/22/2000. A total of 28 largemouth bass were sampled for a catch rate of 57.7 per hour of electrofishing. Size was good and growth rate was fast. Mean length of sampled bass was 11.8 inches and length at the beginning of their fifth year of life was 12.5 inches. A sample of aged largemouth bass showed every year class from 1992 through 1999 represented. Other fish species sampled included pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, tullibee, white sucker, green sunfish, silver redhorse, yellow bullhead, yellow perch, common shiner and spottail shiner. Tullibee are much less abundant in Little Hanging Horn than Big Hanging Horn.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Green Sunfish, Black Crappie, and Walleye in Little Hanging Horn. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Little Hanging Horn. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Little Hanging Horn has a maximum depth of 70 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Hanging Horn is from 2024.

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