Horseshoe Lake in Alexander County sits just east of Illinois Route 3, about 7 miles north of Cairo in southwestern Illinois. This 2,400-acre shallow lake is a natural oxbow created from an ancient meander of the Mississippi River, forming part of the 10,200-acre Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area. The lake resembles a southern swamp, distinguished by its large stands of bald cypress, tupelo gum, and swamp cottonwood trees growing throughout the water. With a maximum depth of only 5-6 feet, this shallow body of water once produced legendary largemouth bass fishing—with five-fish limits exceeding 25 pounds—though the fishery has faced significant challenges in recent decades due to increased flooding frequency and invasive species impacts. Despite these setbacks, the lake continues to offer quality fishing opportunities for crappie, catfish, and non-traditional species.