Skeleton

St. Louis County

Near Murray

DOW: 69025600

Northern PikeGood · 56Black CrappieGood · 52Yellow PerchGood · 51

A 63-acre lake near Murray in St. Louis County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 2019.

Fish Species (8)

Northern Pike

Good · 56

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2019

Avg Size

21.6"

Avg Weight

2.34 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 3.9–9.4 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike19% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 81%Largest sampled 27"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 2019	6.00	21.6"	2.34 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 24, 2019	1.00	21.6"	2.21 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 28, 1983	11.00	-	2.36 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Good · 52

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2019

Avg Size

12.0"

Avg Weight

1.03 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per trap net · typical 0.5–10.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 2019	0.22	12.0"	1.03 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 5.0 per gill net · typical 2–23 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 28, 1983	5.00	-	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 28, 1983	0.60	-	0.33 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2019

Avg Size

11.3"

Avg Weight

0.59 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 0.2–1.2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable largemouth bass41% keeper-size (12"+)

8–11" · 59%Largest sampled 14"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 2019	4.00	11.3"	1.31 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 24, 2019	1.00	11.3"	0.59 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 38

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2019

Avg Size

4.3"

Avg Weight

0.06 lbs

Catch rate: 19.1 per trap net · typical 1.9–15.2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill1% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 99%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 2019	1.00	4.3"	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 24, 2019	19.11	4.3"	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Average · 34

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2019

Avg Size

18.5"

Avg Weight

1.51 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1–7.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 2019	0.11	18.5"	3.63 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 24, 2019	0.50	18.5"	1.51 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (2)

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

White Sucker

Good · 54

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2019

Avg Size

16.6"

Avg Weight

1.93 lbs

Catch rate: 5.0 per gill net · typical 2.6–17.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 2019	0.22	16.6"	3.66 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 24, 2019	5.00	16.6"	1.93 lbs	Standard gill nets

Golden Shiner

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2019

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 2019	0.11	5.0"	0.07 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

June 24, 2019Skeleton (Horseshoe) Lake is located approximately 14 miles southwest of Ely in the Superior National Forest. The north and east shores are privately…

Skeleton (Horseshoe) Lake is located approximately 14 miles southwest of Ely in the Superior National Forest. The north and east shores are privately owned and the remainder around the lake is primarily public land. There is a user developed trail near the south bay which could provide public access. The survey crew accessed the lake with permission through private property. There are no campsites located near the lake. This is only the second survey of Skeleton Lake. The previous initial survey occurred in 1983. Seven species of fish were sampled in 2019 compared to only northern pike and yellow perch in 1983. Northern pike and bluegill were the most common species sampled in the gill nets and trap nets in 2019. Northern pike catch in 2019 was a little more than half that of the 1983 survey but slightly above the average of 5.5/gill net of other similar lakes in the area. Pike averaged 22 inches long which was much smaller than the last survey average of 29 inches. The largest pike sampled in 2019 was caught in a trap net and measured approximately 28 inches long. Bluegill numbers in 2019 were above average when compared to other similar area lakes where bluegill occur. Bluegill sizes were small with the average length at 4.8 inches. Only one bluegill over 8 inches was sampled in 2019. Largemouth bass in 2019 were sampled in above average numbers from both gill nets and trap nets but were generally in the 8 to 10 inch size range. Bass were not sampled in 1983. Black crappie, golden shiner and walleye were sampled in relatively low numbers in 2019. White sucker were sampled near area averages. Yellow perch were sampled in 1983, but not in 2019.

June 28, 1983Horseshoe Lake contains an above average population of northern pike and an average population of perch.

Horseshoe Lake contains an above average population of northern pike and an average population of perch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Skeleton?

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