Brassy Minnow Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 7 graded lakes across 1 state
Rough fish like Brassy Minnow are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 7 Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Brassy Minnow is narrowly distributed — only 7 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 Brassy Minnow lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Brassy Minnow documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Brassy Minnow Lakes
Best Brassy Minnow Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with brassy minnow ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Round Lake | Benzie | MI | A | - | 37 |
| 2 | Round Lake | Benzie | MI | A | - | 37 |
| 3 | Round Lake | Oakland | MI | B | - | 37 |
| 4 | Round Lake | Mecosta | MI | C | - | 37 |
| 5 | Round Lake | Kent | MI | C | - | 37 |
| 6 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | MI | C | - | 37 |
| 7 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | MI | D | - | 37 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have brassy minnow?
Brassy Minnow are found in 7 graded lakes: 7 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with brassy minnow is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for brassy minnow?
The best brassy minnow lakes by water quality are Round Lake, Round Lake, Round Lake, Round Lake, Round Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where brassy minnow have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with brassy minnow?
Brassy Minnow are most commonly found alongside black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Brassy Minnow Lakes
Found together in 7 lakes · 990 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 1,488 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 73 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 91 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 1,692 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 171 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.