Hanging Horn

Hanging Horn was surveyed during the summer of 2020 to evaluate and update information about fish populations, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout stocking programs. Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout are the primary species of management for Hanging Horn Lake. Just over 19,500 yearling Rainbow Trout were stocked into the lake in 2018 and 9,800 in 2019 and 2020. Approximately 1,800 Brown Trout have been stocked into the lake annually from 2017 to 2020. No Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout were captured in 2020. Twenty trap nets were set in October targeting Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, but none were captured. The lack of either species captured in the lake suggests that Hanging Horn is unsuitable for Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout management. It is likely that both species are leaving the lake and remaining in the Moosehorn River. The Moosehorn River will be surveyed in 2021 to further investigate its suitability for trout survival. Walleye abundance of 2.2 per gillnet lift was average compared to similar Minnesota lakes. Walleye average length was 14.6 inches. Several year-classes of young Walleye were evident in the sample suggesting angling for Walleye may improve in the next few years as these mature. Tullibee (Cisco) abundance of 25.6 per gillnet lift was well above average compared to similar Minnesota lakes. Tullibee average length was 10.6 inches. Angling and/or sport netting opportunities for Tullibee are exceptional in Hanging Horn Lake. Hanging Horn consistently has the highest abundance of Tullibee in the Duluth Area. Northern Pike abundance of 1.3 per gillnet lift was below average compared to similar Minnesota Lakes. However, average size was good at 27.8 inches with fish up to 38.7 inches present. Although Northern Pike are present in low abundance, quality size fish are available in Hanging Horn Lake. Black Crappie abundance of 4.1 per trapnet lift was above average compared to similar Minnesota lakes. Average length was 9.2 inches with fish up to 11.6 inches sampled. Bluegill abundance was average at 10.3 per trapnet lift with an average length of 6.2 inches.

A standard survey was conducted on Hanging Horn Lake during the summer of 2015 to evaluate and update information about fish populations and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Lake Trout stocking program. Lake Trout is the primary management species for Hanging Horn Lake. Over 25,000 yearling Lake Trout have been stocked into the lake since 2007. Zero Lake Trout were captured in 2015 for a gillnet abundance of 0.0 per lift. Six special deep water gillnets were also set targeting Lake Trout. No Lake Trout were captured in the deep gillnets either. The 2010 assessment captured two Lake Trout for a deep gillnet abundance of 0.3 per lift, but both specimens were age-1 and had been recently stocked. The lack of Lake Trout captured suggests that Hanging Horn is unsuitable for Lake Trout management. Lake Trout likely are not surviving the warm summer months due to low dissolved oxygen levels and thermal stress in the deeper areas of the lake. Walleye abundance of 1.1 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes. Walleye average length was 12.5 inches and 1.7 pounds. Several year-classes of young walleye were evident in the sample suggesting angling for Walleye may improve in the next few years as these year-classes mature. Tullibee abundance of 36.1 per gillnet lift was well above average compared to other Minnesota lakes. Tullibee gillnet average length was 10.6 inches. Angling and/or sport netting opportunities for Tullibee are exceptional in Hanging Horn Lake. Hanging Horn consistently has the highest abundance of Tullibee in the Duluth Area. Northern Pike abundance of 0.9 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota Lakes. However, average size was good at 26.4 inches with fish up to 38.7 inches present. Although Northern Pike are present in low abundance, quality size fish are available in Hanging Horn Lake. Black Crappie abundance of 3.7 per trapnet lift was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes. Average length was 8.1 inches with fish up to 10 inches sampled. Bluegill abundance was average at 11.8 per trapnet lift. Average length was 6.7 inches but only 12% exceeded 8 inches. One Brook Trout was captured for a gillnet abundance of 0.1 per lift. The fish was 13.7 inches in length and was from the 2011 year-class. The origin of this fish is unknown but it likely emigrated from a cold water stream connected to the Moosehorn River which flows through Hanging Horn Lake. Historically, one other Brook Trout was captured in Hanging Horn during an assessment in 1993.

Hanging Horn Lake is a 408 acre lake located near Barnum, Minnesota with 21% (86 acres) littoral area and a maximum depth of 80 feet. There are two public accesses on Hanging Horn; a carry-in access located off County Road 13 at the culvert between Hanging Horn and Little Hanging Horn lakes and another city owned concrete back-in ramp is located off County Road 138, on the Moose Horn River. Hanging Horn was surveyed during the summer of 2010 to update information about fish populations and to assess the success of the lake trout stocking program. Stocking lake trout was postulated as one way to utilize the abundant tullibee population and add a unique angling opportunity to Hanging Horn Lake. Stocking lake trout most likely would not reduce tullibee numbers to the point where walleye recruitment and survival would increase, but would provide an opportunity to catch lake trout within the Duluth Fisheries Management Area, which currently does not exist. Lakes that are able to sustain a lake trout population generally have a significant volume of water where water temperatures remain below 55F and dissolved oxygen concentrations are 5 mg/L or greater throughout the summer. According to temperature and dissolved oxygen data collected during the past four investigations, summer temperatures in the hypolimnion are suitable for lake trout survival; however, dissolved oxygen concentrations are slightly below the desired level for lake trout. Similar physical properties exist in other lakes managed for lake trout in northeastern Minnesota and these lakes, although marginal lake trout fisheries, provide an environment suitable for lake trout survival and a unique angling opportunity. Lake trout yearlings were stocked into Hanging Horn in the spring of 2007, 2009 and 2010. Six special deep water gillnets were set targeting lake trout. Two lake trout from the 2010 stocking event were captured with a mean length of 7.9 inches. The lack of fish captured from the 2007 and 2009 stocking events indicate that Hanging Horn may be unsuitable for lake trout. Lake trout likely are not surviving the warm summer months due to low dissolved oxygen and thermal stresses in the hypolimnion. The tullibee (cisco) gillnet abundance of 46.2 was down from 2005 (64.0) but still considerably higher than other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Tullibee mean length was 10.1 inches. Hanging Horn currently supports a healthy tullibee population with individuals up to 13 inches and 23 years of age. A total of 17 different age-classes of tullibee were present dating back to 1987. Walleye abundance of 0.8 per gillnet lift was down from 2005 (0.9) and was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye mean length was 20.1 inches but not enough individuals were captured to evaluate stock density or growth. Eight year-classes were present from 1995 to 2009. Northern pike abundance of 1.4 per gillnet lift was down from 2005 (2.7) and was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length of northern pike was 23.4 inches and growth was slow when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2001 to 2008 were represented, except 2002. Black crappie abundance of 3.6 per trapnet lift was up from 2005 (1.3) and was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Black crappie mean length was 8.9 inches and growth was fast when compared to other Duluth Area crappie populations. All year-classes from 2001 to 2007 were represented. Bluegill abundance of 19.3 per trapnet lift was up from 2005 (8.4) and was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Bluegill mean length was 5.3 inches and growth was average when compared to other Duluth Area bluegill populations. All year-classes from 2001 through 2007 were represented. Yellow perch abundance of 0.1 per gillnet lift was less than 2005 (0.7) and below average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Only one perch was caught and it was 5.6 inches in length. Smallmouth Bass abundance of 0.1 per gillnet lift was the same as 2005 and below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Only one smallmouth bass was caught and it was 14.0 inches in length. Other fish species sampled include burbot, shorthead redhorse, pumpkinseed, rock bass, silver redhorse, yellow bullhead and white sucker. Hanging Horn Lake was included in an index of biotic integrity (IBI) assessment in 2010. In addition to standard gillnets and trapnets, beach seines and backpack electrofishing equipment were used to index species richness of the nearshore lake habitat.

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

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

Hanging Horn has a maximum depth of 80 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Hanging Horn is from 2020.

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