Horseshoe

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Horseshoe Lake on August 18th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 39.4 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 14.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 14.3 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 17.3 degrees C (63.1 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in 2024, with a TDO3 of 9.5 and a 14.3-foot layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, such as was the case in 2025, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Horseshoe Lake on August 18th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 39.4 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 14.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 14.3 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 17.3 degrees C (63.1 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in 2024, with a TDO3 of 9.5 and a 14.3-foot layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, such as was the case in 2025, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Horseshoe Lake on August 18th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 39.4 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 14.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 14.3 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 17.3 degrees C (63.1 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in 2024, with a TDO3 of 9.5 and a 14.3-foot layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, such as was the case in 2025, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

No Minnesota DNR fish survey data is available for Horseshoe yet.

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.

Horseshoe has a maximum depth of 40 feet and a mean depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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.