Flat Horn Lake

How big is Flat Horn Lake?

How deep is Flat Horn Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Flat Horn Lake?

Are there boat launches on Flat Horn Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Flat Horn Lake?

Flat Horn Lake is located 5.5 miles northwest of Isabella and is 52 acres in size with a maximum depth of 13 feet. There is a short carry-in access suitable for small boats and canoes at the US Forest Service picnic area and swimming beach at the end of USFS Road 182. The water has a brown, bog-stained color that limits visibility to about 4.5 feet in summer. The aquatic plant community has several submerged plant species with emergent and floating leaf plant beds distributed around the lake. Northern Pike, Walleye and Bluegill are the most common game fish species sampled in survey gear.

A standard fisheries survey was conducted in July 2017 to monitor the status of the fish community and associated aquatic habitat. The Northern Pike catch was average relative to similar lakes in the Finland Area. The average size was 19 inches and 1.6 pounds with only 9% of the catch over 22 inches. Scale analysis indicated consistent recruitment to the population with seven year classes identified in the catch. Northern Pike growth was average compared to other lakes in the area.

Historically, Walleye have been sampled in low numbers from Flat Horn Lake and the 2017 survey was no different. Survey nets captured just two adult Walleye that were over 16 inches long. This is consistent with previous surveys and suggests that natural reproduction has been able to maintain a small population of Walleye in the lake.

Bluegill and Black Crappie lakes in the Finland Area tend to have small populations of fast growing fish that occasionally produce a strong year class. Spawning habitat in Flat Horn Lake is poor, and the cool climate of northeastern Minnesota may limit their production. Both species were captured at low numbers for the normal range for similar lakes. The 2017 survey was the second consecutive netting to sample Bluegill and was the first time Black Crappie were sampled in the lake. Bluegill size was decent with 63% of the catch greater than 8 inches and the largest fish measuring 8.9 inches and 0.7 pounds. Black Crappie were not particularly abundant and size was small with all fish from the same year class.

Yellow Perch catch was below average for similar lakes and size structure was poor with the largest fish caught measuring 7.5 inches. Although not likely to be targeted by anglers, perch are an important forage species for the lake.

White Sucker were sampled at average numbers compared to similar lakes and size averaged near 16 inches and 1.7 pounds.

A single Largemouth Bass (8.1 inches) and a single young of the year bass were captured during the survey. Pumpkinseed and Rock Bass were also sampled in survey nets at low numbers. Small mesh trap nets designed to capture small bodied, non-game fish also sampled Common Shiner during the survey.

Flat Horn Lake has a decent Northern Pike population with a fair number of nice pike. The Walleye population is small but when one is caught, they usually are decent size. The Bluegill and Black Crappie populations are still establishing in the lake and may be of interest to anglers in coming years. Flat Horn Lake offers a scenic setting for visitor to the lake and the 1.8 mile of hiking/cross country ski trail that circle the lake provide additional recreational opportunities

What is the average air temp for Flat Horn Lake?

Are there any state parks near Flat Horn Lake?