Barred fantail darter Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 1 lakes
Barred fantail darter is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 1 lakes carry documentation. Barred fantail darter is narrowly distributed — only 0 Minnesota lakes and 1 Wisconsin lakes 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 Barred fantail darter lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Barred fantail darter documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Barred fantail darter Lakes
Best Barred fantail darter Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with barred fantail darter ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Union Lake | Branch | MI | D | - | 22 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have barred fantail darter?
Barred fantail darter are found in 1 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 0 in Minnesota and 1 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with barred fantail darter is D (Poor).
What are the best lakes for barred fantail darter?
The best barred fantail darter lakes by water quality are Union Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where barred fantail darter have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with barred fantail darter?
Barred fantail darter are most commonly found alongside blackchin shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, brindled madtom, brook silverside. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.