Bowfin (Dogfish) Fishing Guide: 608 Lakes by Water Quality

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. 608 lakes carry documentation. Bowfin (Dogfish) is widely distributed: 608 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 phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings 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 each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Bowfin (Dogfish) documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.

608

Total Lakes

608

Minnesota lakes →

49 ft

Avg. Depth

Best Bowfin (Dogfish) Lakes by Water Quality

Top 50 lakes with bowfin (dogfish), ranked on nutrient and algae readings.

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

Showing top 50 of 608 lakes with bowfin (dogfish).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have bowfin (dogfish)?

Bowfin (Dogfish) are documented in 608 lakes: 608 in Minnesota.

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 carry the lowest nutrient and algae readings 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 607 lakes · 1,550 total

Northern Pike Lakes

Found together in 606 lakes · 2,386 total

Black Crappie Lakes

Found together in 603 lakes · 1,386 total

Largemouth Bass Lakes

Found together in 595 lakes · 2,489 total

Pumpkinseed Lakes

Found together in 588 lakes · 1,328 total

Yellow Bullhead Lakes

Found together in 587 lakes · 1,080 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.