Hanging Horn Lake
About Hanging Horn Lake
Hanging Horn Lake is a 409-acre lake near Barnum in Carlton County, Minnesota. It reaches 80 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.6 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 21 Carlton County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.2 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2020.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city and county. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 23, based on 5 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Hanging Horn Lake
- 409 acres, up to 80 feet deep, near Barnum
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the city and county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 7.2 feet
- Listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- city, county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 409 acres
- Max depth
- 80 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 86 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)
- 1 carry-in access
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 11
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2020
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 23
- Years of record
- 5
- Earliest
- April 14, 2005
- Latest
- May 4, 2022
- Most recent
- May 4, 2022
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Hanging Horn Lake
Compare Hanging Horn Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Hanging Horn Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Hanging Horn Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Hanging Horn Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Hanging Horn Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Little Hanging Horn Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Barnum114 acres
0.8 miles away
Bear Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Barnum100 acres
1.6 miles away
Moose Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Moose Lake133 acres
3.2 miles away
Moosehead Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Moose Lake279 acres
3.6 miles away
Echo Lake
73 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Moose Lake108 acres
3.9 miles away
Island Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScorePine · Sturgeon Lake527 acres
5.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hanging Horn Lake?
Hanging Horn Lake is in Carlton County, Minnesota, near Barnum. It covers 409 acres and reaches 80 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Hanging Horn Lake?
Hanging Horn Lake covers 409 acres with about 4.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 80 feet.
What fish can you catch at Hanging Horn Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Hanging Horn Lake?
Yes. Hanging Horn Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the city and county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Hanging Horn Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Hanging Horn 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 Hanging Horn Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Hanging Horn Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Hanging Horn Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 23, from 5 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 14, 2005 and the latest is May 4, 2022.
Does Hanging Horn Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Hanging Horn Lake as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.