Horseshoe Lake
Cook County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
The LakeGrade rubric puts Horseshoe Lake at a C: clarity at 7.0 ft, phosphorus readings still being added, and a TSI of 49 signal an intermediate trophic state.
The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Minnesota lakes fall. A maximum depth of 26 ft puts Horseshoe Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 188 acres, Horseshoe Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 10.4 miles of shoreline. Within Cook County's 128 graded lakes, Horseshoe Lake ranks 75 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.
No invasive species are currently listed at Horseshoe Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Horseshoe Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2020-05-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7 ft. Trophic State Index: 49.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 49 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 26 ft |
| Surface Area | 188.43 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 10.4 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 99% |
| Public Access | No |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #75 of 128 lakes in Cook County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Horseshoe Lake holds Grade C. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Cook County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Horseshoe Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
1 survey on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1990-08-08 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| White Sucker | 13.17 | 2.05 lb |
| Walleye | 4.83 | 1.23 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 4.33 | 0.09 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 1.83 | 0.03 lb |
| Northern Pike | 1.67 | 1.12 lb |
| Smallmouth Bass | 0.33 | 0.66 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
From the 1990-08-08 survey
WALLEYE ABUNDANCE WAS GOOD, WITH MOST OF THE FISH COLLECTED IN THE 12-16 RANGE. A WIDE RANGE OF YEAR CLASSES WERE REPRESENTED, BUT NO AGE II WALLEYES WERE COLLECTED. THE 1986 AND 1987 YEAR CLASSES EACH COMPRISED 34% OF THE WALLEYE COLLECT- ED. WALLEYE GROWTH WAS AVERAGE FOR COOK COUNTY. NORTHERN PIKE ABUNDANCE WAS LOW…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Horseshoe Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — HorseshoeFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Horseshoe Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN16-0224-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2020-05-26
Monitoring stations: 1