Bigmouth Shiner Lakes in Michigan
Found in 5 Michigan lakes
Rough fish like Bigmouth Shiner are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 5 Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Bigmouth Shiner is narrowly distributed — only 5 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 Bigmouth Shiner lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Bigmouth Shiner documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Bigmouth Shiner Lakes Map
Every Michigan lake with documented bigmouth shiner, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Bigmouth Shiner Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Otter Lake | Benzie | A | 12 ft | - |
| 2 | Otter Lake | Oakland | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 3 | Otter Lake | Benzie | NR | 12 ft | - |
| 4 | Green Lake | Allegan | NR | 8 ft | - |
| 5 | Green Lake Southwest Basin; Leighton Township | Allegan | NR | 8 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have bigmouth shiner?
Bigmouth Shiner are found in 5 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is A (Excellent).
What are the best bigmouth shiner lakes in Michigan?
The best bigmouth shiner lakes in Michigan by water quality are Otter Lake, Otter Lake, Otter Lake, Green Lake, Green Lake Southwest Basin; Leighton Township.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.