Which Lakes Have the Most Fish Species?
We analyzed fish survey data from state DNR records across 80 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 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | 36 | B | 78 ft |
| 3 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | MN | 36 | C | 78 ft |
| 4 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | MN | 36 | C | 78 ft |
| 5 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | 36 | C | 78 ft |
| 6 | Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge | Washington | MN | 36 | C | 78 ft |
| 7 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | 36 | C | 78 ft |
| 8 | St. Croix 3.5 Mi. Downstream of E Chestnut St Lake | Washington | MN | 36 | C | 78 ft |
| 9 | St. Croix 0.3 Mi. Downstream of I Lake | Washington | MN | 36 | C | 78 ft |
| 10 | Emily Lake | Pope | MN | 26 | F | 6 ft |
| 11 | Horseshoe Lake | Stearns | MN | 25 | D | 57 ft |
| 12 | Zumbro Lake | Olmsted | MN | 24 | D | 43 ft |
| 13 | Winona Lake | Winona | MN | 24 | D | 38 ft |
| 14 | Whitefish Lake | Crow Wing | MN | 23 | A | 138 ft |
| 15 | Long Lake | Stearns | MN | 23 | D | 35 ft |
| 16 | Barrett Lake | Grant | MN | 23 | D | 28 ft |
| 17 | Little Spirit Lake | Jackson | MN | 23 | D | 8 ft |
| 18 | Big Swan Lake | Meeker | MN | 23 | D | 32 ft |
| 19 | Pokegama Lake | Pine | MN | 23 | F | 25 ft |
| 20 | Bertha Lake | Crow Wing | MN | 22 | A | 64 ft |
| 21 | Green Lake | Kandiyohi | MN | 22 | A | 110 ft |
| 22 | Cedar Lake | Aitkin | MN | 22 | A | 105 ft |
| 23 | Gull Lake | Cass | MN | 22 | A | 80 ft |
| 24 | Broadwater Bay Lake | Cass | MN | 22 | A | 54 ft |
| 25 | Koronis Lake | Stearns | MN | 22 | C | 132 ft |
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 80 species →