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Horseshoe Lake News
Valders Journal covers MCLA Guest Speaker Darren Kuhn
Darren Kuhn has collected many stories in his career as a recreation safety warden, along with a strong desire for people to stay safe while having fun. Kuhn, who works for the state Department of Natural Resources, recently spoke to the Manitowoc County Lakes Association during a meeting in Manitowoc.
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.
MCLA Lake Director: Robert Christian
Location/Directions: County Highway XX. Take Highway 42 South from Manitowoc, West on County Highway XX approximately 3 miles. Driveway to the South.
About Horseshoe Lake
Lake Health
- Condition: Fair read more
Recreation
- 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. No lighting, no potable water.
- Restrictions: Electric motors only. Slow-No-Wake Areas. See posted. Wisconsin boating handbook
- Boat Ramp: Concrete ramp, 11% slope, >3 ft launch depth, boarding dock.
- Launch Fee: The daily fee is $5 and the seasonal fee is $20.
- ADA Accessibility Features: Yes. The boarding dock, and the route of travel to it, is ADA accessible.
- Manitowoc County Map and Photos:
http://www.co.manitowoc.wi.us/departments/parks/county-parks/horse-shoe-lake/
Statistics
- Surface Area: 22 acres
- Depth: Max 54′, Mean 25′
- Bottom: 0% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 95% muck
- Shorelength: 1.2 mi
- Type of Lake: Seepage. Two-story lake.
- Lat/Long: 43.93071890, -87.89153320
Aquatic Invasive Species Threats
- Verified: Eurasian Water-Milfoil (1971)
Fishing
- Fish present: Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and bluegill common. Northern pike and walleye present. Other panfish present.
Regulations
- View Horseshoe Lake fishing regulations on DNR website
- 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 5/4/2019-3/1/2020:
- 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.
Stocking and DNR Surveys
| DNR Fish Stocking Data | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Species | Strain | Age Class | Number Stocked | Average Length (inches) |
| 2017 | RAINBOW TROUT | ERWIN | LARGE FINGERLING | 2,200 | 5.80 |
| 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: FAIR (2018) Source
- 5-Year Average Trophic State: 49/Mesotrophic
- Secchi Disk: Average summer reading 7.5 ft. (SE Georegion average 7.4 ft.)
- Chemistry:
Average summer Chlorophyll 7.2 µg/l (SE Georegion average 31.6 µg/l).
Average summer Total Phosphorus 20.6 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): 50/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 an increasing chance of low dissolved oxygen in deep water during the summer.
View TSI data 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!