---
type: lake
name: "Dead Horse Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Marcell"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 105
max_depth_ft: 30
latitude: 47.53294
longitude: -93.67486
lake_score: 45
dnr_lake_id: "31062200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/dead-horse-lake
---

# Dead Horse Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Marcell

- **Surface Area**: 105 acres
- **Max Depth**: 30 ft
- **Shoreline**: 1.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 45/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 6
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2014
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling

## Amenities

Carry-In Access

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch

## Nearby Lakes

- [North Star Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/north-star-lake) - 1.5 miles, 832 acres
- [Caribou Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/caribou-lake) - 1.7 miles, 247 acres
- [Grave Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/grave-lake) - 2 miles, 525 acres
- [Smith Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/smith-lake) - 2.7 miles, 209 acres
- [East Smith Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/east-smith-lake) - 3 miles, 152 acres
- [Little Bowstring Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-bowstring-lake) - 3.7 miles, 326 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.53294,-93.67486)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31062200)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/dead-horse-lake)*