Bowfin Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 18 graded lakes across 1 state
Bowfin is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 18 lakes carry documentation. Bowfin is narrowly distributed — only 18 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 Bowfin lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Bowfin documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Bowfin Lakes
Best Bowfin Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with bowfin ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pickerel Lake | Kalkaska | MI | A | - | 29 |
| 2 | Diamond Lake | Osceola | MI | A | - | 25 |
| 3 | Burt Lake | Cheboygan | MI | A | - | 33 |
| 4 | Bass Lake | Leelanau | MI | A | - | 13 |
| 5 | Clear Lake East Basin; Waterloo Township | Jackson | MI | A | - | 17 |
| 6 | Bass Lake | Montcalm | MI | B | - | 13 |
| 7 | Portage Lake South Basin; Dexter Township | Washtenaw | MI | B | - | 26 |
| 8 | Murray Lake East Basin; Grattan Township | Kent | MI | B | - | 29 |
| 9 | Clear Lake | Jackson | MI | B | - | 16 |
| 10 | Bass Lake | Livingston | MI | B | - | 2 |
| 11 | Bass Lake | Marquette | MI | B | - | 13 |
| 12 | Whitmore Lake | Livingston | MI | C | - | 1 |
| 13 | Wall Lake | Barry | MI | C | - | 18 |
| 14 | Paw Paw Lake | Hillsdale | MI | C | - | 4 |
| 15 | Paw Paw Lake | Kalamazoo | MI | C | - | 4 |
| 16 | Paw Paw Lake | Hillsdale | MI | C | - | 4 |
| 17 | Pickerel Lake | Emmet | MI | C | - | 22 |
| 18 | Bass Lake | Livingston | MI | C | - | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have bowfin?
Bowfin are found in 18 graded lakes: 18 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with bowfin is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for bowfin?
The best bowfin lakes by water quality are Pickerel Lake, Diamond Lake, Burt Lake, Bass Lake, Clear Lake East Basin; Waterloo Township. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where bowfin have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with bowfin?
Bowfin are most commonly found alongside bluegill, bluntnose minnow, iowa darter, largemouth bass, western banded killifish. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Bowfin Lakes
Found together in 15 lakes · 1,692 total
Found together in 12 lakes · 171 total
Found together in 11 lakes · 131 total
Found together in 10 lakes · 2,637 total
Found together in 10 lakes · 116 total
Found together in 10 lakes · 1,769 total
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.