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Horseshoe Lake Merrifield


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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Pike, bass, panfish not much in the way of Walleye's. It has a lot of sand that comes out pretty far from shore in some areas so watch your locator.

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  • 2 weeks later...

The last time I stayed on the lake it was August of 2006, so not the most recent of reports. The lake was low at the time but I followed weedlines with Raps and caught all the pike and bass a guy could want. I didn't target panfish and tried for eyes but plenty of pike and bass to keep you busy.

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  • 6 months later...

I'll be coming up with a group of guys to stay at a cabin on Horseshoe the weekend of Feb. 14th. Anyone have any tips for ice fishing this lake? We will probably be looking to fish tip ups for pike and then jigging for crappies, sunnies, etc. Any tips are appreciated!

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My buddy's cabin is on that lake. Very sandy, very clear water. As others have mentioned, you should do well for pike and bass on tips ups. The east side of the "shoe" has much deeper holes, and that side of the lake usually is where the permanent houses set up, if that means anything. The west side of the "shoe" doesn't have as many deep holes.

My general impression...we usually go across Hwy 3 and fish Pelican.

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Haha, ya, well we will probably just fish Horseshoe as it's easier to warm up and or get beer by just walking back in the cabin, but you're not the first one who has said to try Pelican. Thanks for the info though, much appreciated.

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Don't worry, we never catch much on Pelican either! If it's a beer swilling kind of weekend, Horseshoe should keep you entertained.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Got out on Horseshoe yesterday. Fished with a group of guys from around 12-6. We targeted the east side of the lake and fished around 10-12 FOW. Caught a few pike, and got into some decent numbers of sunnies. Also caught some crappies, but none with any real size. It seemed like sunnies were moving around in schools. We probably would have caught more had we been willing to hole hop. It was still a fun afternoon.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
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    • Rick G
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    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
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    • monstermoose78
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    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
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