Fishing at Horseshoe Lake, Scott County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Out in Scott County, Minnesota, sits Horseshoe Lake. The water sits 709 feet up. At about 26 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Scott County. Jordan lies 2.6 miles from the water. Carver lies 4.1 miles off, Chaska another 6.1 miles. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Horseshoe Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie, pumpkinseed and common carp. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. At Horseshoe Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 12°F in January to roughly 72°F in July. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. After early April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Ice clears near early April and comes back about late November in a typical year. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Horseshoe Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. A boat ramp sits 0.9 miles away, so trailered boats can get on. Parking is not close: half a mile from the bank, and no nearer option is mapped. The water borders Carver Highlands Wildlife Management Area, so expect the reserve rules to apply. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Long Lake is 0.3 miles distant. Check the position at Horseshoe Lake before loading the car.