Horseshoe

Horseshoe Lake is a 393-acre lake located in Le Sueur County northeast of the city of Waterville. A DNR owned public access is located on the south side of the lake off County Road 10. Horseshoe Lake has a maximum depth of 26 feet. Horseshoe Lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and secondarily for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The management plan calls for stocking 85,000 Walleye fry yearly. Horseshoe Lake has been designated a Tier-2 lake and will be surveyed every 6 years, including: spring day electrofishing to assess the Largemouth Bass population, gill nets and trap nets to assess the fish community for size structure and abundance. Horseshoe Lake was surveyed the week of 24 June 2024 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota DNR. This survey consisted of deploying 7 trap and 6 gill nets as well as 61 minutes of daytime boat electrofishing to monitor the fish community. Horseshoe Lake has historically produced moderate quality Black Crappies. Since 1983, Black Crappie relative abundance has varied from 0.6/trap net in 1990 to 63.7/trap net in 1988. Relative abundance of Black Crappie in 2024 was moderate at 13.3/trap net, which was an increase from 2018 (7.1/trap net). Black Crappies were also very abundant in gill nets with a catch rate of 110.8/gill net. Five year classes (2019-2023) were present. Age-2 (2022 year class) Black Crappies were the most abundant, accounting for 36% of Black Crappies sampled. Age-1 and age-4 black crappies were also very abundant, each accounting for more than 20 percent of the sample. Black Crappies size structure in trap nets was large. Black Crappie ranged from 3.6 to 12.0 inches and averaged 8.9 inches in trap nets. Black Crappies in gill nets ranged in size from 3.7 inches to 11.5 inches and averaged 5.7 inches. Bluegill relative abundance has been variable in Horseshoe Lake ranging from 1.3/trap net in 1983 to 60.4/trap net in 1993. Bluegills were sampled at a rate of 8.7/trap net in 2024, which was lower than in 2018 (19.6/trap net). Bluegills ranged from 3.0 to 9.5 inches in length and averaged 7.3 inches. Six year classes of Bluegill were sampled in 2024 (2017-2022). Each age group from age-2 through age-5 made up just over 20 Percent of the sample. This indicates consistent recruitment of Bluegills. Walleye relative abundance decreased from the 2018 survey, dropping from 4.5/gill net to 2.0/gill net in 2024, but still was within the long term range of catch rates (0.0 to 9.5/gill net). Two year classes of Walleye were present (2019 and 2023). Walleyes ranged from 9.7 to 27.4 inches and averaged 19.0 inches in gill nets. Largemouth Bass are secondary management species on Horseshoe Lake and were assessed using day-time electrofishing in 2024. Before 2018 Largemouth Bass abundance was only assessed using standard trap netting. Relative abundance of Largemouth Bass was 45.0/hour. Average length of Largemouth Bass sampled in 2018 was 12.1 inches and ranged from 3.5 to 18.2 inches. Northern Pike relative abundance has historically been stable in Horseshoe Lake, ranging from 0.7/gill net in 1996 to 20.0 in 2003. In 2024 relative abundance was 4.3/gill net. Northern Pike sampled with gill nets ranged from 19.6 to 32.7 inches in length and averaged 25.5 inches. Approximately 65 percent of Northen Pike were larger than the Southern Zone minimum length limit of 24 inches. The 2024 Yellow Perch relative abundance (54.0/gill net) increased from 2018 (28.5/gill net). Yellow Perch exhibited small size, ranging in length from 5.1 to 11.5 inches and averaging 6.6 inches. Only seven Yellow Perch exceeded 10.0 inches. Both Black Bullhead and Yellow Bullhead were present in the 2024 sample. Combined, bullheads had a relative abundance of 5.8/gillnet. Bullhead size ranged from 11.2 inches to 15.6 inches and averaged over 13 inches in length. Other species present in low numbers included: Common Carp, Freshwater Drum (sheepshead), Bowfin (dogfish), Bigmouth Buffalo, and Golden Shiner. -Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist

Horseshoe Lake is a 393-acre lake located in Le Sueur County northeast of the city of Waterville. A DNR owned public access is located on the south side of the lake off County Road 10. Horseshoe Lake has a maximum depth of 26 feet. A standard survey was performed the week of June 25, 2018 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota DNR. A standard survey is used for sampling a wide range of fish species during the summer months using standard methods (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). This survey consisted of deploying trap and gill nets to monitor the fish community. Horseshoe Lake has been designated a Tier-2 lake and will be surveyed every 6 years, including: spring day electrofishing to assess the Largemouth Bass population, gill nets and trap nets to assess the fish community for size structure and abundance . Horseshoe Lake has historically produced moderate quality Black Crappies. Since 1983, Black Crappie relative abundance has varied from 0.6/trap net in 1990 to 63.7/trap net in 1988. The trap net catch rate for Black Crappie in 2018 of 7.1 is what we would expect for lakes similar to Horseshoe, which was an increase from 2013 (1.5/trap net) and was slightly above the average for similar lakes (5.5/trap net). Black Crappies were also sampled very effectively with gill nets, and were captured at a rate of 20.0/gill net, which was higher than what we would expect for lakes similar to Horseshoe Lake (17.5/gill net). Black Crappie size structure was small, indicative of a sample dominated by young fish (2015-2017 year classes). Black Crappie ranged from 4.3 to 11.5 inches and averaged 8.1 inches in trap nets. Bluegill relative abundance has been variable in Horseshoe Lake ranging from 1.3/trap net in 1983 to 60.4/trap net in 1993. Bluegills were sampled at a rate of 19.6/trap net in 2018, which was lower than in 2013 (24.9/trap net) and slightly above the average (15.9/trap net) for lakes similar to Horseshoe Lake. Bluegills ranged from 2.8 to 9.4 inches in length and averaged 7.4 inches in 2018 compared to 4.9 inches in 2013. Six year classes of Bluegill were sampled in 201 (2012-2017). The majority of Bluegills aged (81%) were from the 2014-2015 year classes (ages 3-4). Walleye catch rates decreased from the 2013 survey from 9.5/gill net to 4.5/gill net in 2018, but still was within the long term range of catch rates (0 to 9.5/gill net). Seven year classes of Walleye were present (2009-2011, and 2013-2016). Walleyes ranged from 14.7 to 26.3 inches and averaged 21.6 inches in gill nets. Walleye growth was fast in Horseshoe Lake as fish averaged 13.7 inches at age-2 and 19.5 inches at age-4. Largemouth Bass are secondary management species on Horseshoe Lake and were assessed using day-time electrofishing in 2018. Previous to 2018 Largemouth Bass abundance was only assessed using standard trap netting. We caught 39.7 Largemouth Bass per hour of electrofishing. The average length of Largemouth Bass sampled in 2018 was 12.2 inches and ranged from 4.9 to 19.5 inches. Northern pike catch rates have historically been stable in Horseshoe Lake, gill net catch rates ranged from 0.7/gill net in 1996 to 20.0 in 2003 which was more than triple the next highest catch rate since 1983. The 2018 catch rate was 5.5/gill net, which was above average (4.7/gill net) for Horseshoe Lake. Northern Pike sampled with gill nets ranged from 16.2 to 32.4 inches in length and averaged 23.8 inches. Fifty-two percent of Northern Pike sampled were greater than the 24-inch minimum length limit. Southern Zone Northern Pike regulations are in effect for Horseshoe Lake. Anglers are allowed 2 fish per day and all fish under 24 inches must be immediately released. The 2018 Yellow Perch catch rate (28.5/gill net) decreased from 2013 (39.9/gill net) but was still high. Yellow Perch exhibited small size structure, with only one fish exceeding 10.0 inches. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 4.4 to 10.6 inches and averaged 7.0 inches. Both Black and Yellow Bullheads were present in the 2018 sample. Combined bullheads had a catch rate of 15.3/gillnet. Bullhead size ranged from 5.4 inches to 15.9 inches and averaged nearly 12 inches in length. Other species present in low numbers included: Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Bowfin (dogfish), Bigmouth Buffalo, and Golden Shiner. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations. -Tyler Fellows, specialist

Horseshoe Lake is a 393 acre lake located in Le Sueur County northeast of the city of Waterville. A DNR owned public access is located on the south side of the lake off County Road 10. Horseshoe Lake has a maximum depth of 26 feet and consists of a shallower northern basin and deeper southern basin. Horseshoe Lake was surveyed the week of July 1, 2013 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota DNR. This survey consisted of deploying trap and gill nets to monitor the fish community. Black bullhead was the most abundant fish species observed in this survey, with a total of 307 fish caught among all nets. Black bullhead total lengths ranged from 5.0 to 15.0 inches and averaged nearly 9.0 inches. Black crappie catch rates in the 2013 survey were 8.0 fish/gill net and 1.5 fish/trap net. Overall, the total length of black crappie averaged 6.0 inches and ranged from 4.0 to 10.0 inches. Bluegill abundance was moderate at the time of this survey, with trap nets sampling 25.0 fish/ trap net. The average length of bluegill from trap nets was 5.0 inches, with the largest fish nearly 10.0 inches. Yellow perch abundance in Horseshoe Lake was relatively high in 2013, with a gill net catch rate of nearly 40.0 fish/gill net. The average length of yellow perch from gill nets was over 6.0 inches and the largest fish sampled was nearly 11.0 inches. Horseshoe Lake continues to offer a quality northern pike and walleye fishery. Gill net catch rates were over 5.0 northern pike/net. Northern pike from gill nets averaged nearly 24.0 inches in length and ranged from 18.0 to 30.0 inches, with an average weight of 3.2 pounds. Walleye abundance was very strong during the 2013 survey. Gill nets catch rates averaged 9.5 walleye/gill net, which is above average for similar lakes in the area. The average length of walleye from gill nets was over 18.0 inches, ranging from 15.0 to 22.0 inches. Walleye fry are stocked in Horseshoe Lake two of every three years. Largemouth bass were scarce during this survey, with only 2 fish collected overall. However, largemouth bass are not effectively sampled with the gear types used in this survey so this is not a good representation of the largemouth population in Horseshoe Lake. Spring electrofishing would be the preferred method to assess the largemouth bass population in Horseshoe Lake; however, electrofishing was not conducted in 2013. Other fish species collected in low numbers included freshwater drum, common carp, yellow bullhead, and green sunfish. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural recruitment. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish community and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations. -Prepared by: Kip Rounds, Fisheries Specialist

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

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

Horseshoe has a maximum depth of 26 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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