Horseshoe Lake
Todd County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
On the LakeGrade scale Horseshoe Lake grades a B, with clarity at 10.0 ft and phosphorus readings still being added placing it above the Minnesota median.
Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Horseshoe Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. A maximum depth of 24 ft puts Horseshoe Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. Horseshoe Lake covers 121 acres alongside 2.5 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Among the 17 graded lakes in Todd County, Horseshoe Lake ranks 4 — in the top quartile locally.
No invasive species are currently listed at Horseshoe Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. Walleye are documented at Horseshoe Lake, one of 11 fish species on record for the lake. Public access is available — the lake is on the Minnesota PCA public-access list. Ice-out has been recorded 7 times at Horseshoe Lake, with a median around Apr 15. 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 2024-09-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 10 ft. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 10 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 24 ft |
| Surface Area | 120.8 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.5 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 70% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Horseshoe Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Horseshoe Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Horseshoe Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.015 m/yr | 5 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (14 observations).
Estimated open water season: 222 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2003-03-12 (2003) | 2008-04-26 (2008) |
| Ice-In | 2006-11-03 (2006) | 2001-12-12 (2001) |
Most recent ice-out: 2015-04-22
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 17 lakes in Todd County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Horseshoe Lake holds Grade B. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Todd County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Horseshoe Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
9 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2019-07-11 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 57.77 | 0.11 lb |
| CNM | 16.16 | — |
| Largemouth Bass | 11.98 | 0.9 lb |
| Northern Pike | 10.26 | 1.39 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 5.32 | 0.13 lb |
| GOS | 5.25 | 0.03 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
Northern Pike
Yellow Perch
From the 2019-07-11 survey
Nearshore sampling was performed on Horseshoe Lake July 11 and 12 of 2019 to provide data for calculation of a Fish Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score in conjunction with standard gill net and trap net sampling conducted June 24-26. Nearshore sampling consists of seining and backpack electrofishing at 10 randomly…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Horseshoe Lake. 4 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — HorseshoeFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Horseshoe (0893)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — HorseshoeFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — HorseshoePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate
Most recent sample: 2024-09-10
Monitoring stations: 2