Black Bullhead Lakes in Michigan
Found in 26 Michigan lakes · 911 in Minnesota
Black Bullhead is a catfish — bottom-feeding, warm-water-tolerant, often found in larger river-connected lakes. Documented in 937 lakes across Michigan. Black Bullhead is widely distributed: 911 lakes in Minnesota and 26 in Michigan. That breadth means anglers across most of the coverage area can find a documented Black Bullhead lake within a reasonable drive.
Catfish-bearing lakes are often productive systems — the kind where the fish do well even when clarity does not. Cross-reference the Black Bullhead lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Black Bullhead documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Black Bullhead Lakes Map
Every Michigan lake with documented black bullhead, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Black Bullhead Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 2 | Cub Lake Central Basin | Kalkaska | A | 19 ft | - |
| 3 | Otter Lake | Benzie | A | 12 ft | - |
| 4 | Loon Lake; Lake Twp | Benzie | A | 12 ft | - |
| 5 | Loon Lake | Benzie | B | 12.1 ft | - |
| 6 | Rose Lake | Shiawassee | D | 5 ft | - |
| 7 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | D | 6 ft | - |
| 8 | White Lake | Muskegon | NR | 6.8 ft | - |
| 9 | Middle Lake | Lapeer | NR | 9 ft | - |
| 10 | Clark Lake | Livingston | NR | 12 ft | - |
| 11 | Cedar Lake | Alcona | NR | 8 ft | - |
| 12 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | NR | 10.5 ft | - |
| 13 | Rose Lake | Osceola | NR | 10.8 ft | - |
| 14 | Rose Lake | Shiawassee | NR | 5.5 ft | - |
| 15 | Round Lake | Mecosta | NR | 8.5 ft | - |
| 16 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | NR | 6.5 ft | - |
| 17 | Round Lake | Oakland | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 18 | Cranberry Lake | Oakland | NR | 7.3 ft | - |
| 19 | Otter Lake | Oakland | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 20 | Round Lake | Benzie | NR | 15 ft | - |
| 21 | Otter Lake | Benzie | NR | 12 ft | - |
| 22 | Loon Lake | Benzie | NR | 12 ft | - |
| 23 | Round Lake | Kent | NR | 8 ft | - |
| 24 | Loon Lake | Oscoda | NR | 14.5 ft | - |
| 25 | Bass Lake Northeast Basin | Kalkaska | NR | 18.5 ft | - |
| 26 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | NR | 8.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have black bullhead?
Black Bullhead are found in 26 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best black bullhead lakes in Michigan?
The best black bullhead lakes in Michigan by water quality are Round Lake, Cub Lake Central Basin, Otter Lake, Loon Lake; Lake Twp, Loon Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.