---
type: lake
name: "Horseshoe Lake"
county: "Stearns"
nearest_town: "Richmond"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 629
max_depth_ft: 57
latitude: 45.42677
longitude: -94.53287
lake_score: 53
dnr_lake_id: "73015700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/horseshoe-lake
---

# Horseshoe Lake

Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota, near Richmond

- **Surface Area**: 629 acres
- **Max Depth**: 57 ft
- **Average Depth**: 14 ft
- **Shoreline**: 13.4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 53/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Horseshoe Lake is a 629-acre lake near Richmond in Stearns County, Minnesota. It reaches 57 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 14 feet, and has roughly 13.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.9 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 24 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. 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 sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 24
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit 10.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Redhorse, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, River Redhorse, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Becker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/becker-lake) - 1.2 miles, 221 acres
- [Cedar Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/cedar-island-lake) - 1.6 miles, 986 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/long-lake) - 2 miles, 487 acres
- [Big Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/big-lake) - 2.2 miles, 458 acres
- [Zumwalde Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/zumwalde-lake) - 2.4 miles, 128 acres
- [North Brown's Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/north-brown-s-lake) - 2.9 miles, 312 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.42677,-94.53287)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=73015700)
- [All lakes in Stearns County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/horseshoe-lake)*