Horseshoe Lake (Pend Oreille County)

Horseshoe Lake is located about four miles north of the Spokane County line, one mile east of Stevens County, and 8.5 miles northwest of the town of Elk. Open year-round, Horseshoe Lake offers Rainbow Trout, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, sunfish, Bullhead, Kokanee, and Lake Trout. WDFW public access is available (Horseshoe Lake | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife).

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Limited shoreline access near boat ramp.

WDFW water access areas on this lake

Horseshoe Lake

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Pend Oreille
Acreage: 135.60 ac.
Elevation: 1974 ft.
Center: 48.111488, -117.41657
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: HORSESHOE LK (PEND)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Apr 12, 2018	Rainbow	4,000	3	FORD HATCHERY
Jun 21, 2017	Rainbow	1,000	2.8	FORD HATCHERY
Oct 17, 2013	Rainbow	3,000	2.5	LYONS FERRY HATCHERY

Fishing prospects calendar

Rainbow trout

Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked statewide, but they can be caught year-round in most waters with a little patience and persistence. Success remains high into June and gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. Fish that escaped the spring harvest return to the nearshore areas in the fall as waters cool off. Some waters may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates.

Kokanee

The Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November. Fishing is best in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures, but they can be targeted throughout the summer in deeper offshore areas near the thermocline. There may be a slight uptick in some waters in the fall as adults return to shallower water and move near shore towards spawning tributaries.

Largemouth bass

Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving.

Yellow perch

Yellow Perch can be caught year-round. Fishing is best in the summer after they finish spawning in April-May. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. Catch begins to decline in the fall as water temperatures cool and fish move offshore forcing anglers to pursue them in boats. Successful fishing for Yellow Perch in the winter involves either targeting schools in deep water from boats or through the ice.

Black crappie

Fishing improves throughout the Spring, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull, while Fall sees an improvement as waters cool, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available. During winter, the bite is slower, but anglers can have great success fishing through the ice when conditions are safe.

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Pumpkinseed Sunfish are ubiquitous in most lowland lakes and readily caught year-round. Fishing is best in the spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season to catch Pumpkinseed, but persistent anglers can find nice-sized schools offshore.

Brown bullhead

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.

Photos

Photo by WDFW