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No News to Report for Horseshoe Lake
Click on the maps to enlarge. Bathymetric Map Courtesy of and Copyright Sportsman’s Connection, based on Wisconsin DNR data. Watershed map courtesy of Manitowoc County Soil and Water Conservation Department. New! Zoom in even closer with this new interactive watershed mapping tool.
Location/Directions: County Highway XX. Take Highway 42 South from Manitowoc, West on County Highway XX approximately 3 miles. Driveway to the South.
Accessibility: 43.93071890, -87.89153320
Surface Area: 22 acres
Shorelength: 1.2 mi
Depth: Max 54′, Mean 25′
Bottom: 0% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 95% muck
Type of Lake: Seepage. Two-story lake.
Restrictions: Use of motors on this lake is prohibited. Slow-No-Wake Areas. See posted and read the Wisconsin handbook
Recreational Features: Manitowoc County maintains an 8.5 acres park at Horseshoe Lake. An attractive picnic area with grills, tables and playground equipment has been developed on the hillside northwest of the parking lot. A picnic area with a grill and a small shelter and toilet are located near the parking lot on the lower level. The lake access has a pier, which is used for both launching and fishing.
Manitowoc County Map and Photos:
http://www.co.manitowoc.wi.us/departments/i-p/parks/county-parks/horse-shoe-lake/
Aquatic Invasive Species Threats:
Verified: Eurasian Water-Milfoil (1971)
Fishing Regulations:
- Fish present: Rainbow trout, large mouth bass, crappie, bluegill, perch and northern pike.
- Management:Trout, largemouth bass, panfish.
- View complete Horseshoe Lake regulations at DNR
- View the Wisconsin Trout Regulations at DNR
- Open All Year
- Panfish: Daily bag limit 25. No min length.
- Catfish: Daily bag limit 10. No min length.
- Open 5/6/2017-3/4/2018:
- Largemouth/smallmouth bass: 14″ Limit 5.
- Northern Pike: 26″ Limit 2.
- Walleye: 15″ Limit 5.
- Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
- Familiarize yourself with Wisconsin fishing:
WDNR Hook & Line Guide - Consumption Advisory: General Manitowoc County/Mercury. Click here.
“This pretty lake is only 22 acres in surface area but it has a reputation for growing some nice fish. Though the stocked trout provide a put-and-take fishery, some of the trout do survive for a few years and grow pretty large. A 20-inch and 21-inch have been taken in past years. Anglers take on minnows, waxies, and small spinners around the shorelines in the spring. Target them in 5- to 14- feet of water and move around a bit. There’s a warmwater fishery here, too. Occasionally a big northern pike is hauled out and you can find some largemouths of legal size.”
—Kiel Bait & Gun
Fish Stocking:
DNR Fishing Survey Report: Most recent report 2014
| DNR Fish Stocking Data | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Species | Strain | Age Class | Number Stocked | Average Length (inches) |
| 2016 | RAINBOW TROUT | ERWIN | LARGE FINGERLING | 3,006 | 5.90 |
| 2015 | RAINBOW TROUT | ERWIN | LARGE FINGERLING | 2,933 | 6.00 |
| 2014 | RAINBOW TROUT | ERWIN | LARGE FINGERLING | 2,198 | 6.30 |
| 2013 | RAINBOW TROUT | ERWIN | LARGE FINGERLING | 2,200 | 6.50 |
| 2012 | RAINBOW TROUT | ERWIN | LARGE FINGERLING | 2,200 | 6.30 |
| 2011 | RAINBOW TROUT | ERWIN | LARGE FINGERLING | 1,980 | 5.90 |
| 2010 | RAINBOW TROUT | ERWIN | LARGE FINGERLING | 2,200 | 6.30 |
Condition: GOOD (2015 data)
- 5-Year Average Trophic State: 45/Mesotrophic (Source: Wisconsin DNR)
- Secchi Disk (2015): Average summer reading = 10 ft. SE Georegion average = 7 ft.
- Chemistry (2015): The average summer Chlorophyll was 16.3 µg/l (compared to a Southeast Georegion summer average of 26 µg/l). The summer total Phosphorus average was 15.7 µg/l. Lakes that have more than 20 µg/l and impoundments that have more than 30 µg/l of total phosphorus may experience noticeable algae blooms.
- Trophic State Index (TSI) (2015): 45/Mesotrophic. What does this mean?
Mesotrophic lakes contain moderate amounts of nutrients, and contain healthy, diverse populations of aquatic plants, algae, and fish. Occasional algae blooms may occur. If the lake is deep enough to stratify, the hypolimnion often becomes low in oxygen by the end of summer, and may result in some phosphorus release from the sediments. Mesotrophic lakes are characterized by moderately clear water, but have a increasing chance of low dissolved oxygen in deep water during the summer.
View this graph on the DNR website
Based on Wisconsin DNR data from 6 readings taken on different days in April-Sept 2015.
Are launch fees required for Manitowoc Lakes for kayaks? Sheboygan County doesn’t require fees for kayaks, canoes, or paddle boards, but I can’t seem to find a definitive answer for Manitowoc lakes.
Sorry for the delay. We don’t want to give misinformation. We’ll email you!
Boat launch fees in Manitowoc County go directly back into the launch facilities. The suggested fee is $5 per day or $20 per season. Although there is no policing, if you enjoy using the lakes, your donation is welcome! Donations help the county provide supplies to reduce the spread of invasives and make recreational use of the lakes a great experience for everyone!