Dead Horse Lake
About Dead Horse Lake
Dead Horse Lake is a 105-acre lake near Marcell in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 30 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.2 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2014.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.
Plan Your Visit to Dead Horse Lake
- 105 acres, up to 30 feet deep, near Marcell
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 8.2 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 105 acres
- Max depth
- 30 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 54 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 carry-in access
Best For
- 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
- 6
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2014
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Dead Horse Lake
Compare Dead Horse Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
North Star Lake
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell832 acres
1.5 miles away
Caribou Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell247 acres
1.7 miles away
Grave Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell525 acres
2 miles away
Smith Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell209 acres
2.7 miles away
East Smith Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Alder152 acres
3 miles away
Little Bowstring Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Deer River326 acres
3.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dead Horse Lake?
Dead Horse Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Marcell. It covers 105 acres and reaches 30 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Dead Horse Lake?
Dead Horse Lake covers 105 acres with about 1.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 30 feet.
What fish can you catch at Dead Horse Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Dead Horse Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Dead Horse Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Dead Horse 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 Dead Horse Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Dead Horse Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.