Which Lakes Have the Most Fish Species?
Reviewed by LakeQuality Editorial Team · Updated
We analyzed fish survey data from state DNR records across 196 documented species. Some lakes are home to 15 or more species, true biodiversity hotspots that support everything from lake trout and muskellunge to panfish and rough fish.
Lakes with the highest species diversity tend to share several characteristics: large surface area providing diverse habitat, moderate to deep depth supporting both warm and cool water zones, and good water quality maintaining the dissolved oxygen these species need.
Top 25 Most Diverse Lakes
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Species | Grade | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | 47 | F | 60 ft |
| 2 | Long Lake | Gogebic | MI | 40 | B | - |
| 3 | Long Lake | Benzie | MI | 40 | B | - |
| 4 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | MI | 40 | A | - |
| 5 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | MI | 40 | A | - |
| 6 | Long Lake | Gogebic | MI | 40 | B | - |
| 7 | Round Lake | Mecosta | MI | 37 | C | - |
| 8 | Round Lake | Benzie | MI | 37 | A | - |
| 9 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | MI | 37 | D | - |
| 10 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | MI | 37 | C | - |
| 11 | Round Lake | Oakland | MI | 37 | B | - |
| 12 | Round Lake | Benzie | MI | 37 | A | - |
| 13 | Round Lake | Kent | MI | 37 | C | - |
| 14 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | 36 | B | 78 ft |
| 15 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | 36 | C | 78 ft |
| 16 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | 36 | C | 78 ft |
| 17 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | MN | 36 | C | 78 ft |
| 18 | Upper Estuary Lake | St. Louis | MN | 33 | D | 55 ft |
| 19 | Burt Lake | Cheboygan | MI | 33 | A | - |
| 20 | Baldwins Lake | Cass | MI | 33 | C | - |
| 21 | Otter Lake | Benzie | MI | 30 | A | - |
| 22 | Eagle Lake | Allegan | MI | 30 | B | - |
| 23 | Otter Lake | Oakland | MI | 30 | B | - |
| 24 | Otter Lake | Benzie | MI | 30 | B | - |
| 25 | Murray Lake East Basin; Grattan Township | Kent | MI | 29 | B | - |
What Makes a Lake Species-Rich?
- Size, larger lakes have more shoreline niches, weed beds, rock structure, and open water habitat
- Depth diversity, lakes with both shallow bays and deep basins support warm, cool, and cold water species simultaneously
- Connected waterways, lakes with inlet/outlet streams allow species migration and population mixing
- Water quality, clean lakes maintain oxygen at all depths, supporting the most demanding species
Full ranking: lakes with the most species → · Browse all 196 species →
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