Black bullhead Lakes in Michigan
Found in 28 Michigan lakes
Black bullhead is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 28 lakes carry documentation. Black bullhead is narrowly distributed — only 28 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 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.
Best Black bullhead Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cub Lake Central Basin | Kalkaska | A | 19 ft | - |
| 2 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 3 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 4 | Bass Lake Northeast Basin | Kalkaska | A | 18.5 ft | - |
| 5 | Loon Lake | Benzie | A | 12.1 ft | - |
| 6 | Otter Lake | Benzie | A | 12 ft | - |
| 7 | Duck Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Fruitland Township | Muskegon | A | 10.5 ft | - |
| 8 | Loon Lake; Lake Twp | Benzie | A | 12 ft | - |
| 9 | Clark Lake | Livingston | B | 12 ft | - |
| 10 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 11 | Rose Lake | Osceola | B | 10.8 ft | - |
| 12 | Round Lake | Oakland | B | 10 ft | - |
| 13 | Otter Lake | Oakland | B | 10 ft | - |
| 14 | Otter Lake | Benzie | B | 12 ft | - |
| 15 | Loon Lake | Benzie | B | 12 ft | - |
| 16 | Loon Lake | Oscoda | B | 14.5 ft | - |
| 17 | White Lake | Muskegon | C | 6.8 ft | - |
| 18 | Middle Lake | Lapeer | C | 9 ft | - |
| 19 | Cedar Lake | Alcona | C | 8 ft | - |
| 20 | Cranberry Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Independence Township | Oakland | C | 8 ft | - |
| 21 | Round Lake | Mecosta | C | 8.5 ft | - |
| 22 | Cranberry Lake | Oakland | C | 7.3 ft | - |
| 23 | Round Lake | Kent | C | 8 ft | - |
| 24 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | C | 8.5 ft | - |
| 25 | Rose Lake | Shiawassee | C | 5 ft | - |
| 26 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | C | 6 ft | - |
| 27 | Rose Lake | Shiawassee | D | 5.5 ft | - |
| 28 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | D | 6.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have black bullhead?
Black bullhead are found in 28 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 Cub Lake Central Basin, Round Lake, Round Lake, Bass Lake Northeast Basin, Loon Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.