Brook Stickleback Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 20 graded lakes across 1 state
Rough fish like Brook Stickleback are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 20 Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Brook Stickleback 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 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 LakeGrade rubric: 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 | Blue Lake | Iron | MI | A | - | 3 |
| 2 | Round Lake | Benzie | MI | A | - | 37 |
| 3 | Round Lake | Benzie | MI | A | - | 37 |
| 4 | Beaver Lake | Alger | MI | A | - | 14 |
| 5 | Duck Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Fruitland Township | Muskegon | MI | A | - | 22 |
| 6 | Round Lake Central Basin | Lenawee | MI | A | - | 25 |
| 7 | Beaver Lake | Keweenaw | MI | B | - | 16 |
| 8 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | MI | B | - | 22 |
| 9 | Round Lake | Oakland | MI | B | - | 37 |
| 10 | Blue Lake | Mecosta | MI | B | - | 3 |
| 11 | Round Lake | Lenawee | MI | B | - | 23 |
| 12 | Bass Lake Central Basin; Forsyth Township | Marquette | MI | B | - | 10 |
| 13 | Tamarack Lake | Livingston | MI | C | - | 6 |
| 14 | Round Lake | Mecosta | MI | C | - | 37 |
| 15 | Green Lake Southwest Basin; Leighton Township | Allegan | MI | C | - | 22 |
| 16 | Round Lake | Kent | MI | C | - | 37 |
| 17 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | MI | C | - | 22 |
| 18 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | MI | C | - | 37 |
| 19 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | MI | D | - | 37 |
| 20 | Font Lake | Charlevoix | MI | D | - | 8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have brook stickleback?
Brook Stickleback are found in 20 graded lakes: 20 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 Blue Lake, Round Lake, Round Lake, Beaver Lake, Duck Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Fruitland Township. 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, yellow perch, bluntnose minnow, rock bass, central mudminnow. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Brook Stickleback Lakes
Found together in 17 lakes · 1,769 total
Found together in 16 lakes · 171 total
Found together in 15 lakes · 846 total
Found together in 14 lakes · 60 total
Found together in 14 lakes · 2,637 total
Found together in 14 lakes · 1,275 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.