Blackstripe Topminnow Fishing Guide: 13 Lakes

Blackstripe Topminnow is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 13 lakes carry documentation. Blackstripe Topminnow is narrowly distributed — only 13 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 phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Blackstripe Topminnow lake list below against each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Blackstripe Topminnow documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.

Total Lakes

Michigan lakes →

48 ft

Avg. Depth

Best Blackstripe Topminnow Lakes by Water Quality

Top 50 lakes with blackstripe topminnow, ranked on nutrient and algae readings.

Rank	Lake	County	State	Depth	Species
1	Cordley Lake	Livingston	MI	31 ft	7
2	Long Lake	Gogebic	MI	60 ft	40
3	Bear Lake	Manistee	MI	6 ft	14
4	Harwood Lake	Cass	MI	50 ft	11
5	Portage Lake	Jackson	MI	40 ft	34
6	Middle Lake	Lapeer	MI	-	20
7	Long Lake	Grand Traverse	MI	88 ft	40
8	Long Lake	Benzie	MI	-	40
9	Baldwin Lake	Cass	MI	-	25
10	Long Lake	Cass	MI	42 ft	25
11	Baldwins Lake	Cass	MI	55 ft	33
12	Long Lake	Cheboygan	MI	61 ft	40
13	Donnell Lake	Cass	MI	-	26

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have blackstripe topminnow?

Blackstripe Topminnow are documented in 13 lakes: 13 in Michigan.

What are the best lakes for blackstripe topminnow?

The best blackstripe topminnow lakes by water quality are Cordley Lake, Long Lake, Bear Lake, Harwood Lake, Portage Lake. These lakes carry the lowest nutrient and algae readings among all lakes where blackstripe topminnow have been documented by state DNR surveys.

What other fish are found with blackstripe topminnow?

Blackstripe Topminnow are most commonly found alongside blackstripe topminnow, bluntnose minnow, largemouth bass, green sunfish, yellow perch. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.

Other Fish Species in Blackstripe Topminnow Lakes

Bluntnose Minnow Lakes

Found together in 13 lakes · 160 total

Largemouth Bass Lakes

Found together in 13 lakes · 2,489 total

Green Sunfish Lakes

Found together in 12 lakes · 753 total

Yellow Perch Lakes

Found together in 12 lakes · 1,577 total

Brook Silverside Lakes

Found together in 11 lakes · 43 total

Western Banded Killifish Lakes

Found together in 11 lakes · 100 total

Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.