Minnesota · Carlton County
Hanging Horn Lake Fishing guide
Hanging Horn Lake covers 409 acres in Carlton County, Minnesota, reaching 80 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 7.2 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 7 times, most recently in 2020, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets. That survey is 6 years old now.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeFair numbers1.4per gill net12"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 47 fish
Recent · 2015 + 2020Lengths measured · 31 fish
2020Lengths measured · 16 fish
2015Lengths measured · 12 fish
2010Lengths measured · 9 fish
2005Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Largemouth bassJust a few6.5per hr (electrofishing)14"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2015 + 2020Lengths measured · 2 fish
2020Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2015Lengths measured · 1 fish
2005Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 11 fish
2000Northern pikeJust a few1per gill net24"Typical38"Biggest
Lengths measured · 39 fish
Recent · 2015 + 2020Lengths measured · 20 fish
2020Lengths measured · 19 fish
2015Lengths measured · 21 fish
2010Lengths measured · 32 fish
2005BluegillJust a few11.1per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 200 fish
Recent · 2015 + 2020Lengths measured · 94 fish
2020Lengths measured · 106 fish
2015Lengths measured · 174 fish
2010Lengths measured · 76 fish
2005CrappieJust a few3.9per trap net9"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 72 fish
Recent · 2015 + 2020Lengths measured · 39 fish
2020Lengths measured · 33 fish
2015Lengths measured · 32 fish
2010Lengths measured · 11 fish
2005Yellow perchJust a few0.2per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2015 + 2020Lengths measured · 5 fish
2020Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2015Lengths measured · 4 fish
2010Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 11 fish
2005Present in recent DNR surveys.
Last recorded in the 2010 survey and not seen since.
Rock bassFair numbers0.5per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2015 + 2020Lengths measured · 4 fish
2020Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2015Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2010Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2000Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
No recent survey rating.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Hanging Horn Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 80 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 80 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 28" | 7" | — |
| 2015 | 27" | 18" | 19" |
| 2010 | 26" | — | 14" |
| 2005 | 27" | 20" | 14" |
| 2000 | 22" | 15" | 15" |
| 1996 | 18" | 10" | — |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Brown Trout | 1,800 yearlings |
| 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 9,800 yearlings |
| 2020 | Brown Trout | 1,800 yearlings |
| 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 9,800 yearlings |
| 2019 | Brown Trout | 1,798 yearlings |
| 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 9,796 yearlings |
| 2018 | Brown Trout | 1,800 yearlings |
| 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 19,600 yearlings |
| 2017 | Brown Trout | 1,800 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2020 survey
Hanging Horn was surveyed during the summer of 2020 to evaluate and update information about fish populations, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout stocking programs.
Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout are the primary species of management for Hanging Horn Lake. Just over 19,500 yearling Rainbow Trout were stocked into the lake in 2018 and 9,800 in 2019 and 2020. Approximately 1,800 Brown Trout have been stocked into the lake annually from 2017 to 2020. No Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout were captured in 2020. Twenty trap nets were set in October targeting Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, but none were captured. The lack of either species captured in the lake suggests that Hanging Horn is unsuitable for Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout management. It is likely that both species are leaving the lake and remaining in the Moosehorn River. The Moosehorn River will be surveyed in 2021 to further investigate its suitability for trout survival.
Read the full DNR narrative
Walleye abundance of 2.2 per gillnet lift was average compared to similar Minnesota lakes. Walleye average length was 14.6 inches. Several year-classes of young Walleye were evident in the sample suggesting angling for Walleye may improve in the next few years as these mature.
Tullibee (Cisco) abundance of 25.6 per gillnet lift was well above average compared to similar Minnesota lakes. Tullibee average length was 10.6 inches. Angling and/or sport netting opportunities for Tullibee are exceptional in Hanging Horn Lake. Hanging Horn consistently has the highest abundance of Tullibee in the Duluth Area.
Northern Pike abundance of 1.3 per gillnet lift was below average compared to similar Minnesota Lakes. However, average size was good at 27.8 inches with fish up to 38.7 inches present. Although Northern Pike are present in low abundance, quality size fish are available in Hanging Horn Lake.
Black Crappie abundance of 4.1 per trapnet lift was above average compared to similar Minnesota lakes. Average length was 9.2 inches with fish up to 11.6 inches sampled. Bluegill abundance was average at 10.3 per trapnet lift with an average length of 6.2 inches.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Hanging Horn Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Hanging Horn Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Hanging Horn Lake (trailer launch)
- Hanging Horn Lake East (carry-in)
DNR bathymetry
Hanging Horn Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Hanging Horn Lake · 114 ac · 0.8 mi
- Bear Lake · 100 ac · 1.6 mi
- Moose Lake · 133 ac · 3.2 mi
- Moosehead Lake · 279 ac · 3.6 mi
- Echo Lake · 108 ac · 3.9 mi
- Island Lake · 527 ac · 5.6 mi
- Sand Lake · 527 ac · 6 mi
- Sturgeon Lake · 1,706 ac · 7.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Hanging Horn Lake?
Hanging Horn Lake reaches 80 ft at its deepest point; about 21% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Hanging Horn Lake?
Hanging Horn Lake covers 409 acres with about 4.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Hanging Horn Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Hanging Horn Lake average 7.2 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Hanging Horn Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2020) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, brook trout, lake trout, rock bass, channel catfish.
Is Hanging Horn Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked brown trout and rainbow trout in 2021; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Hanging Horn Lake have a public access?
Yes. Hanging Horn Lake has 2 public access sites, including Hanging Horn Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Hanging Horn Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 28"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was Hanging Horn Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Hanging Horn Lake in 2020, the most recent of 7 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Page updated .
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