Hanging Horn Lake in Carlton County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Hanging Horn Lake lies within the bounds of Carlton County, Minnesota. The ground round it is lake country bush. At some 403 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. Few waters listed in Carlton County are bigger. Nearest town is Moose Lake, 3.6 miles off. The nearest city of size is Minneapolis, 107 miles away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Hanging Horn Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Carlton County records list bluegill, yellow perch, black crappie and largemouth bass among the fish reported. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Fish Hanging Horn Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 8°F to 67°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid April. Open water usually runs from mid April until about late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. At Hanging Horn Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. The nearest alternative is Eddy Lake, 0.8 miles out. Check the position at Hanging Horn Lake before loading the car.