Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) Fishing
An IDNR lake of 2,107 acres, found in Madison County.
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What an Illinois angler should know about Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
The IFishIllinois entry gives Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) 2,107 acres; the lake sits in Madison County. Count under a mile from the map point to Madison, the closest Census place.
IDNR maps 2 boat ramps along the shore. Statewide limits change here under a digest entry.
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
Site notes IDNR prints for Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
- Location (IDNR)Horseshoe Lake is located near Granite City on Highway 111 just south of Horseshoe Lake Road.
- Description (IDNR)This 2107-acre lake is a very old floodplain lake created by an abandoned river channel. The lake is shallow with average depths of 3-5 feet. It maintains a connection with the Mississippi River through drainage ditches. Therefore, the lake supports a very diverse fishery. Besides the common sport fish the lake is home to carp, buffalo, drum, gar, and Bowfin. The main boat ramp is on the north shore of the …
Yes or no: what Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) offers, per IDNR
- Family FriendlyYes
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – 50 hp motor limit
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
Text and flags in this band repeat the IFishIllinois page for Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) as printed.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
What the electrofishing found at Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Bigmouth Buffalo | Poor | Bigmouth Buffalo were collected in lower numbers in the 2020 survey. They were mostly smaller fish in somewhat poor condition. |
For Horseshoe Lake (Madison County), the fish shown have an IDNR outlook line, stocking row or record behind them.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
How Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) got to be the fishery it is
- IDNRHorseshoe Lake presents many challenges to active fishery management. The lake is a large, shallow and fertile flood plain lake. The lake connects with the Mississippi River via drainage ditches during high water. This allows for uncontrolled fish introduction and escapement. The lake supports high numbers of fish species, including Common Carp, buffalo, Freshwater Drum, and Yellow Bass. Invasive carp are also …
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Trailer ramps that serve Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
- Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) Boat Rampgravel ramp
- Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) North Boat Rampconcrete ramp
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Docks and fish cleaning tables at Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
- Horseshoe Lake-Madison Boat Dockboat dock, near Horseshoe Lake-Madison
The asset list behind these Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) rows dates from 2019.
IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
IDNR depth maps of Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
- Horseshoe Lake – MadisonIDNR depth map
- Horseshoe Lake Madison Co CanteenIDNR depth map
- Horseshoe Lake Madison Co Walkers IslandIDNR depth map
The IFishIllinois page for Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) links 3 depth maps.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR hatchery trucks at Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Alligator Gar | 941 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Alligator Gar | 3 | Adult |
The IDNR table credits Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) with these fish; release days are not published.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
The IDNR keep rules for Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
| Species group | Daily limit | Statewide rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
Start with the statewide rows at Horseshoe Lake (Madison County), then check its own entry.
Digest lines written just for Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Horseshoe Lake – Madison County | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (11) |
| Horseshoe Lake – Madison County | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5). Trotlines must be set within 300 feet from shore |
| Horseshoe Lake – Madison County | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Horseshoe Lake – Madison County | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
- Code 1Sport fishermen must not use more than 2 poles and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached (Alabama rigs not allowed) while fishing, except that legal size cast nets (in accordance with Section 810.50(a)(2)), shad scoops, and minnow …
- Code 5Sport fishermen may take carp, carpsuckers, buffalo, gar, bowfin and suckers by pitchfork, gigs, bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices.
- Code 11It shall be unlawful to enter upon a designated duck hunting area between sunset of the Sunday immediately preceding opening day of regular duck season through the day before regular duck season and Canada goose season as posted at the site, or to fish …
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 33, read November 4, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR license fees (ifishillinois.org), read November 4, 2026.
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| Species | Weight | Division | Date | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shortnose Gar | 6 lbs 15.2 oz | hook and line | May 27, 2018 | Madison |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Sizing Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) against other Illinois lakes
Frank Holten Grand Marais Lake tops this table with 97 IDNR acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) | 2,107 | 2 | Bigmouth Buffalo | ||
| Jones Park Lake | 5 miles south | 7.0 | 0 | Bluegill | |
| Frank Holten Whispering Willow Lake | 6 miles south | 79 | 1 | ||
| Frank Holten Grand Marais Lake | 7 miles south | 97 | 1 | ||
| Cougar Lake (SIUE) | 9 miles northeast | 77 | 0 | Redear Sunfish | |
| Belk Park Pond | 13 miles north | 8.5 | 0 | Largemouth Bass |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Inside a cornfield drive of Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
Nearby impoundments to try after Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
- Jones Park Lake5 miles south
- Frank Holten Whispering Willow Lake6 miles south
- Frank Holten Grand Marais Lake7 miles south
- Cougar Lake (SIUE)9 miles northeast
- Belk Park Pond13 miles north
Bait counters on the drive to Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
- Ron's Bait & Tackle, 3321 State Route 111bait and tackle shop, Granite City, 2 miles
- Ron's Bait & Tackle, 4050 Bunkum Rdbait and tackle shop, East Saint Louis, 5 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Fairview Heights, 81 Ludwig Drsporting goods store, Fairview Heights, 8 miles
- Fairview Sports & Hardwarebait and tackle shop, Fairview Heights, 8 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Fairview Heights, 6575 North Illinois Streetsporting goods store, Fairview Heights, 9 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Edwardsvillesporting goods store, Edwardsville, 10 miles
No rod? Loaner sites near Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
- Fairmont City CenterFairmont City, 3 miles
- Granite City Regional Six-Mile Library DistrictGranite City, 3 miles
- Caseyville Public LibraryCaseyville, 5 miles
- Collinsville Memorial LibraryCollinsville, 6 miles
Places to sleep and eat near Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
- Madisonunder a mile
- Pontoon Beach3 miles
- Fairmont City3 miles
Horseshoe Lake (Madison County), cut along Illinois county lines
- Madison Countyseat: Edwardsville
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
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Timber, cornfield and water around Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) through a lens
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: tofu nutloaf, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain
Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0
Horseshoe Lake (Madison County), sorted out question by question
Which counties border Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)?
Horseshoe Lake is located near Granite City on Highway 111 just south of Horseshoe Lake Road. Point the car at Madison County, under a mile from Madison.
How many IDNR acres does Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) spread over?
IDNR lists 2,107 acres.
Which IDNR ramp is handiest for Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)?
2 boat ramps are mapped, including Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) Boat Ramp.
Which fish turn up in IDNR surveys of Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)?
bigmouth buffalo lead the IDNR outlook (poor), with shortnose gar also named.
What does the 2026 digest let me keep at Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. Site rules printed above take priority.
May a visitor from Indiana or Iowa fish Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Does Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) have shore access?
IDNR facility flags: Family Friendly Yes; Handicap Access No; piers are not listed.
Where do Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) anglers buy tackle?
Ron's Bait & Tackle, about 2 miles away, is the first shop on our list.
Is Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) in the IDNR record list?
Shortnose Gar at 6 lbs 15.2 oz (hook and line division, May 27, 2018) is the heaviest entry IDNR lists for Horseshoe Lake (Madison County); IDNR prints no angler names.
Make the drive to Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
IDNR fees and the statewide table are on one page.