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LakeQuality

Blackstripe topminnow Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin

Other SpeciesFound in 15 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. 15 lakes carry documentation. Blackstripe topminnow is narrowly distributed — only 0 Minnesota lakes and 15 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 Blackstripe topminnow lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Blackstripe topminnow documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.

15
Total Lakes
0
Minnesota
15
Wisconsin
B
Avg. Grade

Water Quality of Blackstripe topminnow Lakes

A
4
27%
B
7
47%
C
4
27%
D
0
0%
F
0
0%

Best Blackstripe topminnow Lakes by Water Quality

Top 50 lakes with blackstripe topminnow ranked by overall water quality grade.

RankLakeCountyStateGradeDepthSpecies
1Long LakeGrand TraverseMIA-40
2Long LakeCheboyganMIA-40
3Cordley Lake Central Basin; Hamburg TownshipLivingstonMIA-7
4Long Lake; Lake Township; Section 31BenzieMIA-40
5Middle Lake; Elba Township; Section 13LapeerMIB-20
6Long LakeCassMIB-25
7Bear LakeManisteeMIB-14
8Portage Lake South Basin; Dexter TownshipWashtenawMIB-26
9Long LakeGogebicMIB-40
10Long LakeBenzieMIB-40
11Long LakeGogebicMIB-40
12Middle LakeLapeerMIC-20
13Harwood LakeCassMIC-11
14Baldwin Lake Northwest BasinCassMIC-25
15Baldwins LakeCassMIC-33

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have blackstripe topminnow?

Blackstripe topminnow are found in 15 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 0 in Minnesota and 15 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with blackstripe topminnow is B (Good).

What are the best lakes for blackstripe topminnow?

The best blackstripe topminnow lakes by water quality are Long Lake, Long Lake, Cordley Lake Central Basin; Hamburg Township, Long Lake; Lake Township; Section 31, Middle Lake; Elba Township; Section 13. These lakes have the highest water quality grades 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 bluntnose minnow, largemouth bass, green sunfish, northern longear sunfish, western banded killifish. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.

Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.