Alewife Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 1 graded lakes across 1 state
Rough fish like Alewife are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 1 Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Alewife is narrowly distributed — only 1 lakes in Michigan have a documented record. The constraint is usually habitat: cold water, specific depth profile, or river connection.
Rough-fish-dominant lakes are worth checking the grade on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Alewife lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Alewife documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Alewife Lakes
Best Alewife Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with alewife ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mullett Lake | Cheboygan | MI | B | - | 23 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have alewife?
Alewife are found in 1 graded lakes: 1 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with alewife is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for alewife?
The best alewife lakes by water quality are Mullett Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where alewife have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with alewife?
Alewife are most commonly found alongside blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluntnose minnow, common shiner, creek chub. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Alewife Lakes
Found together in 1 lake · 73 total
Found together in 1 lake · 91 total
Found together in 1 lake · 171 total
Found together in 1 lake · 64 total
Found together in 1 lake · 46 total
Found together in 1 lake · 131 total
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.