Blackstripe Topminnow Lakes in Michigan
Found in 13 Michigan lakes
Rough fish like Blackstripe Topminnow are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 13 Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. 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 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.
Blackstripe Topminnow Lakes Map
Every Michigan lake with documented blackstripe topminnow, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Blackstripe Topminnow Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Lake | Gogebic | A | 12 ft | - |
| 2 | Cordley Lake Central Basin; Hamburg Township | Livingston | A | - | - |
| 3 | Portage Lake South Basin; Dexter Township | Washtenaw | B | 13 ft | - |
| 4 | Long Lake | Cass | NR | 10.5 ft | - |
| 5 | Bear Lake | Manistee | NR | 11 ft | - |
| 6 | Middle Lake | Lapeer | NR | 9 ft | - |
| 7 | Harwood Lake | Cass | NR | 8.3 ft | - |
| 8 | Long Lake | Gogebic | NR | 11.5 ft | - |
| 9 | Long Lake | Benzie | NR | 11.5 ft | - |
| 10 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | NR | 24 ft | - |
| 11 | Baldwin Lake Northwest Basin | Cass | NR | 8 ft | - |
| 12 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | NR | 18 ft | - |
| 13 | Baldwins Lake | Cass | NR | 8 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have blackstripe topminnow?
Blackstripe Topminnow are found in 13 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is A (Excellent).
What are the best blackstripe topminnow lakes in Michigan?
The best blackstripe topminnow lakes in Michigan by water quality are Long Lake, Cordley Lake Central Basin; Hamburg Township, Portage Lake South Basin; Dexter Township, Long Lake, Bear Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.