Kokanee Salmon Stocked · 12 plants · last April 24, 2024 Best: dawn, dusk Horseshoe Lake fishing
Horseshoe Lake fishing has Kokanee Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, and Tiger Muskie on the stocking report. Also recorded: Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Pygmy Whitefish, Northern Pikeminnow, and Largescale Sucker. It is stocked about 1.9 times a year since 2011, most often in June and July. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Kokanee Salmon and Smallmouth Bass, dusk for Pumpkinseed, and dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch.
- Last stocked
- April 24, 2024
- · Kokanee Salmon
- Plants on record
- 26
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 3 (+5 also recorded)
- Average size
- 3.6 in
- Elevation
- 4,199 ft
Fish at Horseshoe Lake
Around the dates Horseshoe Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 57.5°F in June, 67°F in July, 38.7°F in April, 49.8°F in May. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Kokanee Salmon Stocked · 12 plants · last April 24, 2024 Best: dawn, dusk 
Smallmouth Bass Stocked · 7 plants · last August 18, 2017 Best: dawn, dusk 
Tiger Muskie Stocked · 7 plants · last June 13, 2023 Last stocked June 13, 2023 · avg 7 in · 7 plants
Tiger Muskie species guide
Pumpkinseed Confirmed present Best: dusk Best: dusk
Pumpkinseed species guide
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide Pygmy Whitefish Confirmed present
Northern Pikeminnow Confirmed present
Largescale Sucker Confirmed present
How Horseshoe Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 2018.
Fish stocked in 2011
18,500
Fish stocked in 2012
18,500
Fish stocked in 2013
4,000
Fish stocked in 2014
3,000
Fish stocked in 2015
19,264
Fish stocked in 2016
19,043
Fish stocked in 2017
18,458
Fish stocked in 2019
18,078
Fish stocked in 2020
16,220
Fish stocked in 2021
12,500
Fish stocked in 2022
15,567
Fish stocked in 2023
12,500
Fish stocked in 2024
24,000
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 24, 2024 | Kokanee Salmon | 12,000 | 2.49 in | report |
| April 24, 2024 | Kokanee Salmon | 12,000 | 2.5 in | report |
| June 13, 2023 | Tiger Muskie | 500 | 10.2 in | report |
| April 27, 2023 | Kokanee Salmon | 12,000 | 2.76 in | report |
| October 17, 2022 | Tiger Muskie | 505 | 8.25 in | report |
| April 27, 2022 | Kokanee Salmon | 15,062 | 2 in | report |
| April 26, 2021 | Kokanee Salmon | 12,500 | 3 in | report |
| June 25, 2020 | Tiger Muskie | 710 | 10.45 in | report |
| May 5, 2020 | Kokanee Salmon | 15,510 | 2.5 in | report |
| June 16, 2019 | Tiger Muskie | 753 | 3.85 in | report |
| May 8, 2019 | Kokanee Salmon | 17,325 | 2 in | report |
| August 18, 2017 | Smallmouth Bass | 3,500 | 2.75 in | report |
| May 25, 2017 | Kokanee Salmon | 14,958 | 2.32 in | report |
| August 25, 2016 | Smallmouth Bass | 3,500 | 2.81 in | report |
| June 16, 2016 | Tiger Muskie | 500 | 5.23 in | report |
| May 18, 2016 | Kokanee Salmon | 15,043 | 2.1 in | report |
| July 29, 2015 | Smallmouth Bass | 3,500 | 2.5 in | report |
| July 14, 2015 | Tiger Muskie | 500 | 4 in | report |
| June 4, 2015 | Kokanee Salmon | 15,264 | 2.5 in | report |
| July 7, 2014 | Smallmouth Bass | 3,000 | 2 in | report |
| October 17, 2013 | Tiger Muskie | 500 | 7 in | report |
| July 11, 2013 | Smallmouth Bass | 3,500 | 2 in | report |
| July 18, 2012 | Smallmouth Bass | 3,500 | 2 in | report |
| May 7, 2012 | Kokanee Salmon | 15,000 | 2.3 in | report |
| July 20, 2011 | Smallmouth Bass | 3,500 | 2 in | report |
| June 14, 2011 | Kokanee Salmon | 15,000 | 2 in | report |
Access and facts
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- Facilities
- camping
One of the Thompson Chain of Lakes along US 2, halfway between Kalispell and Libby. FWP lists it at about 159 acres and 133 feet deep, with a concrete boat ramp and primitive campsites with latrines inside Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you go.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Horseshoe Lake?
Fishing Horseshoe Lake usually means Kokanee Salmon: Kokanee Salmon accounts for 12 of 26 plants on record, ahead of Smallmouth Bass and one more. Kokanee Salmon was last stocked April 24, 2024, averaging 2.4 in. Smallmouth Bass was last stocked August 18, 2017, averaging 2.3 in. Tiger Muskie was last stocked June 13, 2023, averaging 7 in. Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Pygmy Whitefish, and Northern Pikeminnow, plus 1 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Horseshoe Lake stocked?
Last stocked April 24, 2024. It is stocked about 1.9 times a year since 2011, most often in June and July. No plants recorded in 2018.
How big are the fish stocked at Horseshoe Lake?
Stocked fish average 3.6 in. Kokanee Salmon average 2.4 in. Smallmouth Bass average 2.3 in. Tiger Muskie average 7 in.
How do you get on Horseshoe Lake?
There is a boat ramp. Facilities include camping. One of the Thompson Chain of Lakes along US 2, halfway between Kalispell and Libby. FWP lists it at about 159 acres and 133 feet deep, with a concrete boat ramp and primitive campsites with latrines inside Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park.
Which lakes near Horseshoe Lake were stocked more recently?
Little Mcgregor Lake (1.8 mi), Mcgregor Lake (1.9 mi), Little Bitterroot Lake (7.2 mi), Lower Thompson Lake (8.7 mi), and Hubbart Reservoir (10.1 mi) were stocked more recently. Mcgregor Lake is also stocked with Kokanee Salmon, Little Bitterroot Lake is also stocked with Kokanee Salmon, Lower Thompson Lake is also stocked with Kokanee Salmon, and Hubbart Reservoir is also stocked with Kokanee Salmon.