Brook Stickleback Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 21 graded lakes across 1 state
Rough fish like Brook Stickleback are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 21 the United States (49 states), Canada (Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador), and 38 other country hubs. LakeQuality covers lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Brook Stickleback is narrowly distributed — only 21 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 Brook Stickleback lake list below against the letter grades: lakes with both an A or B grade and Brook Stickleback documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Brook Stickleback Lakes
Best Brook Stickleback Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with brook stickleback ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | MI | A | - | 22 |
| 2 | Round Lake | Lenawee | MI | A | 67 ft | 25 |
| 3 | Round Lake | Benzie | MI | A | - | 37 |
| 4 | Beaver Lake | Keweenaw | MI | B | - | 16 |
| 5 | Beaver Lake | Alger | MI | B | 39 ft | 14 |
| 6 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | MI | D | - | 37 |
| 7 | Blue Lake | Kalkaska | MI | NR | 80 ft | 3 |
| 8 | Blue Lake | Mecosta | MI | NR | 50 ft | 3 |
| 9 | Big Bradford Lake | Otsego | MI | NR | - | 14 |
| 10 | Tamarack Lake | Livingston | MI | NR | 34 ft | 6 |
| 11 | Cool Lake | Lake | MI | NR | 43 ft | 10 |
| 12 | Font Lake | Charlevoix | MI | NR | 7 ft | 8 |
| 13 | Round Lake | Oakland | MI | NR | 15 ft | 37 |
| 14 | Round Lake | Oakland | MI | NR | - | 37 |
| 15 | Blue Lake | Iron | MI | NR | - | 3 |
| 16 | Duck Lake | Grand Traverse | MI | NR | 98 ft | 3 |
| 17 | Wallace Lake | Keweenaw | MI | NR | - | 6 |
| 18 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | MI | NR | - | 37 |
| 19 | Round Lake | Kent | MI | NR | - | 37 |
| 20 | Bass Lake | Marquette | MI | NR | 78 ft | 10 |
| 21 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | MI | NR | - | 22 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have brook stickleback?
Brook Stickleback are found in 21 graded lakes: 21 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with brook stickleback is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for brook stickleback?
The best brook stickleback lakes by water quality are Duck Lake, Round Lake, Round Lake, Beaver Lake, Beaver Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where brook stickleback have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with brook stickleback?
Brook Stickleback are most commonly found alongside brook stickleback, central mudminnow, bluntnose minnow, yellow perch, rock bass. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Brook Stickleback Lakes
Found together in 15 lakes · 55 total
Found together in 14 lakes · 160 total
Found together in 14 lakes · 1,577 total
Found together in 13 lakes · 786 total
Found together in 13 lakes · 1,211 total
Found together in 12 lakes · 126 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.