About Big Horseshoe Lake
Big Horseshoe Lake is a scenic Polk County lake worth knowing about, covering 5 acres. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers.
Type: lake
Lake Location
45.32320° N, 92.49910° W
WBIC 2486400 · Wisconsin DNRLocal's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Big Horseshoe Lake has limited visibility and a mixed bottom, making it generally good for swimming with gradual entry in most areas. The 5-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Big Horseshoe Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Big Horseshoe Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Polk County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Big Horseshoe Lake is one of Polk County's lesser-known gems — the kind of place locals return to year after year. Early mornings before 9am offer the calmest water and best fishing before boat traffic picks up. If you're visiting for the first time, check the DNR boat landing locations before you arrive — some are well-marked, others take a local to find. Know something about Big Horseshoe Lake that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Not documented
Clean lake
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice out typically arrives in mid-April on central Wisconsin lakes. Fishing season hits its stride in mid-May and runs strong through June and again in fall. Swimming conditions are best from late June through mid-August. Fall color peaks in early-to-mid October. Ice fishing season runs late December through February in most years.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you boat on Big Horseshoe Lake?
Big Horseshoe Lake does not currently have a public boat landing listed in the Wisconsin DNR database. Shore fishing or kayak/canoe access may still be available — check local access points.
How big is Big Horseshoe Lake?
Big Horseshoe Lake has 5 acres in surface area.
Are there invasive species in Big Horseshoe Lake?
No invasive species are currently documented in Big Horseshoe Lake by the Wisconsin DNR. Always clean, drain, and dry your boat before leaving to help protect this lake.
Where is Big Horseshoe Lake located?
Big Horseshoe Lake is located in Polk County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.3232° N, 92.4991° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Big Horseshoe Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Polk County lakes. Check our Big Horseshoe Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Polk County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Big Horseshoe Lake
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Muskellunge And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Northern Pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rough Fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 2486400
- County
- Polk County
- Surface Area
- 5 acres
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.3232, -92.4991
Nearby Trails
Explore all Wisconsin trails →Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Big Horseshoe Lake? Let us know.
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.