Description
A 10,645 acre Conservation Area features the 2,400-acre Horseshoe Lake with 20 miles of shoreline. It only averages four feet deep and is named for it's obvious horsehoe shape. The lake sort of reflects the setting of a deep south swampland due to the abundant bald cypress, tupelo gum, swamp cottonwood, and wild lotus trees. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and hunting.
The fishing is great with a diversity of fish such as bluegill, sunfish, crappie, largemouth bass and channel catfish that populate the lake. Bald eagles are abundant and you may also see as many as 150,000 Canadian geese wintering around the lake. Many types of wildlife such as deer, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons and wild turkeys make this lake their home.
The Horseshoe Lake used to be just a bend in the Mississippi River. Over time a basin was created , and the Mississippi River formed a new course leaving what is now the lake site. Many changes have taken place since the lake was formed. However, the Mississippi River still plays and important role in the lake's development and changes. With the flooding of the Mississippi River silt is left, which fills in the Lake.
Before the 1930's, the lake was subject to flooding due to the spring rains, and it went partially dry in the summer months. Around 1929, a stoplog spillway was constructed. A concrete spillway structure now reduces the flooding. The Cache River is another river that creates flooding conditions around the Horseshoe Lake Area.
Trip Report
I was quite surprised by this lake. Although small, it packs quite a punch to the senses. The trees are so dense it makes paddling the shoreline a pretty fun obstacle course. To get the most out of a trip here, it would be a great idea to bring a fishing pole. After arriving quite late, I spent about an hour on the water before setting up camp and calling it a night. I decided not to explore the lake much further this trip because the entire shoreline just looked pretty much the same throughout. The lake is clearly a fishing paradise and is the main activity most people do here. I decided to wait and explore the lake more when I had my fishing gear.
Location
Alexander County just east of Illinois Route 3 seven miles north of Cairo
Facilities
There are several Campgrounds around the lake, even an RV park. There are picnic shelters with restrooms and playgrounds for kids. I'm not aware of any camp stores, but the town of Olive Branch is just a short distance northwest of the lake and should have everything you need. There are several boat ramps, but a paddler has the option of using several docks located around the shoreline with parking areas. Since the entire shoreline pretty much looks the same, it could be difficult to find your way straight back. However, it's practially impossible to get lost if you just follow the shoreline you put in from.
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