Bowfin Lakes in Michigan
Found in 20 Michigan lakes
Bowfin is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 20 lakes carry documentation. Bowfin is narrowly distributed — only 20 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 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 lake list below against each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Bowfin documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Bowfin Lakes Map
Every Michigan lake with documented bowfin.
Best Bowfin Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murray Lake | Kent | 9 ft | - |
| 2 | Clear Lake | Jackson | 10.5 ft | 34 ft |
| 3 | Bass Lake | Leelanau | 11.2 ft | - |
| 4 | Clear Lake | Ogemaw | 15 ft | 50 ft |
| 5 | Wall Lake | Barry | 10 ft | 36 ft |
| 6 | Pickerel Lake | Kalkaska | 20 ft | 72 ft |
| 7 | Bass Lake | Livingston | 9.5 ft | 73 ft |
| 8 | Bass Lake | Montcalm | 10.8 ft | 28 ft |
| 9 | Jordan Lake | Barry | 7.5 ft | - |
| 10 | Portage Lake | Jackson | 8.8 ft | 40 ft |
| 11 | Lake Oakland | Oakland | 10.5 ft | 64 ft |
| 12 | Clear Lake | Oakland | 11 ft | - |
| 13 | Whitmore Lake | Livingston | 9 ft | 69 ft |
| 14 | Diamond Lake | Newaygo | 12.3 ft | 25 ft |
| 15 | Paw Paw Lake | Hillsdale | 8 ft | - |
| 16 | Paw Paw Lake | Kalamazoo | 9 ft | 50 ft |
| 17 | Diamond Lake | Osceola | 16 ft | 60 ft |
| 18 | Burt Lake | Cheboygan | 15.5 ft | 73 ft |
| 19 | Pickerel Lake | Emmet | 9.5 ft | 74 ft |
| 20 | Donnell Lake | Cass | - | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have bowfin?
Bowfin are found in 20 lakes in Michigan.
What are the best bowfin lakes in Michigan?
The best bowfin lakes in Michigan by water quality are Murray Lake, Clear Lake, Bass Lake, Clear Lake, Wall Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.