Horseshoe Lake

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What kind of fish can you catch in Horseshoe Lake?

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Horseshoe Lake is located about nine miles east of Marcel, MN, north of County Road 45. The 127 acre lake has 39 littoral acres, a maximum depth of 60 feet, and about 3.6 miles of shoreline. There is a small, earthen, state owned access on the north east side of the lake with very little parking available. Most of the land is in private ownership, yet development appeared minimal. There is one small resort on the north shore. There is one unnamed inlet from Eagle Lake and an unnamed outlet to Oar Lake. Northern pike are the primary management species, although the lake is well suited for panfish.

Northern pike were sampled at a rate of 9.5/gill net, at the high end of the expected range for lakes similar to Horseshoe. This catch is higher than the previous assessment in 1983 (4.2/net). Size structure was poor. However, a low number of larger fish have been observed in most assessments. Lengths ranged from 13.4 to 31.7 inches with a mean length of 17.7 inches. Anglers may help the size structure by releasing fish over 24 inches. Scale and bone analysis identified ages 2 to 6 with growth similar to the statewide average. The sample appeared to be relatively young as 66% of the fish were age two or three. Growth slowed by age 6. Northern pike averaged 19.7 inches by age 5.

Initial electrofishing sampled largemouth bass at a rate of 59.8/hr on-time. Past netting has documented the presence of largemouth bass. Size structure was moderate. Lengths ranged from 4.1 to 16.9 inches with an average length of 10.3 inches. Scale analysis identified ages 1 to 9, indicating consistent recruitment. Growth was slow early, but similar to the statewide average by age 2 and again slowing by age 8. Largemouth bass averaged 12.5 inches by age 5.

One smallmouth bass was sampled while electrofishing, with a length of 14.2 inches. One smallmouth was netted in 1983, suggesting a marginally naturally occurring population. Records indicate fingerling smallmouth bass were stocked once, in 1954.

Black crappie were sampled at a rate of 1.0/trap net, similar to the lake class average. Spring electrofishing sampled crappie at a rate of 6.5/hr on-time. Both catches were too small to accurately assess size structure, but both length frequencies were similar and favorable. The trap net sample had lengths from 4.3 to 11.7 inches with an average length of 9.4 inches, while the electrofishing sample had lengths from 7.7 to 12.6 inches with an average length of 10.3 inches. Scale analysis of a combined sample identified ages 2, and 4-8 present. Recruitment appeared to be sporadic as 75% of sample was age 5 or 6. Growth was slow early but was near the statewide average by age 4. Black crappie averaged 10.3 inches by age 6.

Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 8.1/trap net, below the lake class average. Similarly, bluegill were sampled in low numbers in the past assessment. Size structure was favorable with lengths from 5.3 to 9.5 inches and an average length of 7.6 inches. Scale analysis identified ages 6-12 suggesting a relatively old population. Growth was slow, but similar to Ecological Lake Class 28 mean by age 6. Bluegill averaged 8.1 inches by age nine.

Tullibee are likely an important prey species for northern pike, especially since yellow perch have not been observed in test netting since 1977. Gill nets sampled tullibee at rate of 0.5/net, lower than the lake class first quartile. However, summer netting may not accurately assess tullibee due to their pelagic, schooling nature. Lengths were typically large, with a mean length of 18.3 inches.

One walleye was sampled in the gill nets with a length of 22.5 inches and bone analysis indicates age 9. Electrofishing sampled another walleye with a length of 7.9 inches. Walleye were present in the previous assessment. It is unclear the origins of these fish as records indicated walleye have never been stocked. The connectivity to Eagle Lake may have facilitated fish passage.

Other species sampled black bullhead, bowfin, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, white sucker, and yellow bullhead.

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