Bowfin (Dogfish) Fishing Guide

Other SpeciesDocumented in 634 graded lakes across 1 state

Bowfin (Dogfish) is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 634 lakes carry documentation. Bowfin (Dogfish) is widely distributed: 634 lakes in Minnesota. That breadth means anglers across most of the coverage area can find a documented Bowfin (Dogfish) lake within a reasonable drive.

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 (Dogfish) lake list below against the letter grades: lakes with both an A or B grade and Bowfin (Dogfish) documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.

634

Total Lakes

634

Minnesota lakes →

Avg. Grade

49 ft

Avg. Depth

Water Quality of Bowfin (Dogfish) Lakes

243

38%

110

17%

10%

Best Bowfin (Dogfish) Lakes by Water Quality

Top 50 lakes with bowfin (dogfish) ranked by overall water quality grade.

Rank	Lake	County	State	Grade	Depth	Species
1	Lobster Lake	Douglas	MN	A	65 ft	18
2	East Fox Lake	Crow Wing	MN	A	65 ft	15
3	Clearwater Lake	Wright	MN	A	73 ft	17
4	Clearwater Lake	Crow Wing	MN	A	54 ft	16
5	Lower Hay Lake	Crow Wing	MN	A	100 ft	21
6	Latoka Lake	Douglas	MN	A	108 ft	16
7	Little Birch Lake	Todd	MN	A	89 ft	20
8	North Long Lake	Crow Wing	MN	A	97 ft	18
9	Mud Lake	Becker	MN	A	34 ft	16
10	Big Lake	Beltrami	MN	A	35 ft	17
11	Big Lake	Sherburne	MN	A	48 ft	14
12	Pelican Lake	Otter Tail	MN	A	55 ft	20
13	Pelican Lake	Crow Wing	MN	A	104 ft	17
14	Birch Lake	Cass	MN	A	45 ft	14
15	Round Lake	Aitkin	MN	A	125 ft	18
16	Round Lake	Crow Wing	MN	A	51 ft	20
17	Round Lake	Becker	MN	A	69 ft	18
18	Ada Lake	Cass	MN	A	60 ft	16
19	Whitefish Lake	Crow Wing	MN	A	138 ft	23
20	Washburn Lake	Cass	MN	A	111 ft	21
21	Long Lake	Kandiyohi	MN	A	46 ft	15
22	Long Lake	Otter Tail	MN	A	128 ft	16
23	Long Lake	Becker	MN	A	61 ft	16
24	Long Lake	Hubbard	MN	A	135 ft	14
25	Long Lake	Otter Tail	MN	A	73 ft	17
26	Long Lake	Itasca	MN	A	85 ft	12
27	Dead Lake	Otter Tail	MN	A	65 ft	18
28	Maple Lake	Douglas	MN	A	78 ft	17
29	Maple Lake	Itasca	MN	A	39 ft	13
30	Sallie Lake	Becker	MN	A	50 ft	16
31	Deer Lake	Beltrami	MN	A	42 ft	14
32	Deer Lake	Otter Tail	MN	A	26 ft	16
33	Deer Lake	Itasca	MN	A	121 ft	17
34	Chippewa Lake	Douglas	MN	A	95 ft	19
35	Otter Lake	Ramsey	MN	A	21 ft	12
36	Lida Lake	Otter Tail	MN	A	58 ft	20
37	Cowdry Lake	Douglas	MN	A	52 ft	19
38	Big Spunk Lake	Stearns	MN	A	38 ft	19
39	Ossawinnamakee Lake	Crow Wing	MN	A	63 ft	18
40	Florida Lake	Kandiyohi	MN	A	40 ft	18
41	Clear Lake	Crow Wing	MN	A	63 ft	15
42	Sullivan Lake	Morrison	MN	A	57 ft	18
43	West Fox Lake	Crow Wing	MN	A	55 ft	15
44	Darling Lake	Douglas	MN	A	62 ft	19
45	Ida Lake	Douglas	MN	A	106 ft	19
46	Ida Lake	Wright	MN	A	60 ft	10
47	Star Lake	Otter Tail	MN	A	94 ft	17
48	Upper Maple Lake	Wright	MN	A	76 ft	15
49	Fish Lake	Otter Tail	MN	A	69 ft	17
50	Fish Lake	Chisago	MN	A	57 ft	13

Showing top 50 of 634 lakes with bowfin (dogfish).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have bowfin (dogfish)?

Bowfin (Dogfish) are found in 634 graded lakes: 634 in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of lakes with bowfin (dogfish) is B (Good).

What are the best lakes for bowfin (dogfish)?

The best bowfin (dogfish) lakes by water quality are Lobster Lake, East Fox Lake, Clearwater Lake, Clearwater Lake, Lower Hay Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where bowfin (dogfish) have been documented by state DNR surveys.

What other fish are found with bowfin (dogfish)?

Bowfin (Dogfish) are most commonly found alongside bowfin (dogfish), bluegill, northern pike, black crappie, largemouth bass. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.

Other Fish Species in Bowfin (Dogfish) Lakes

Bluegill Lakes

Found together in 633 lakes · 1,601 total

Northern Pike Lakes

Found together in 632 lakes · 2,487 total

Black Crappie Lakes

Found together in 629 lakes · 1,428 total

Largemouth Bass Lakes

Found together in 621 lakes · 2,593 total

Pumpkinseed Lakes

Found together in 614 lakes · 1,370 total

Yellow Bullhead Lakes

Found together in 613 lakes · 1,107 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.