Horseshoe Lake
About Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake is a 240-acre lake near Tamarack in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 12 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 7 feet, and has roughly 3.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.3 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to walleye and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 15, based on 8 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Horseshoe Lake
- 240 acres, up to 12 feet deep, near Tamarack
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 2.3 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 240 acres
- Max depth
- 12 ft
- Average depth
- 7 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 2.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 240 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 12
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Walleye: Possession limit three.
- Sunfish: Daily limit 10.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 15
- Years of record
- 8
- Earliest
- March 30, 2010
- Latest
- May 3, 2023
- Most recent
- May 3, 2023
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Horseshoe Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Island Lake
29 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Tamarack244 acres
1.5 miles away
Round Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Tamarack554 acres
1.6 miles away
Minnewawa Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor2,351 acres
2.4 miles away
Big Sandy Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor6,125 acres
3.9 miles away
Glacier Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Balsam135 acres
5.2 miles away
Rat Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Palisade431 acres
6.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Horseshoe Lake?
Horseshoe Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Tamarack. It covers 240 acres and reaches 12 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Horseshoe Lake?
Horseshoe Lake covers 240 acres with about 3.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 12 feet and its average depth is about 7 feet.
What fish can you catch at Horseshoe Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Horseshoe Lake?
Yes. Horseshoe Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Horseshoe Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Horseshoe Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Horseshoe Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Horseshoe Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Horseshoe Lake?
Yes. Possession limit three. Daily limit 10.
When does the ice go out on Horseshoe Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 15, from 8 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 30, 2010 and the latest is May 3, 2023.