Brook stickleback Lakes in Michigan
Found in 20 Michigan lakes
Rough fish like Brook stickleback are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 20 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.
Best Brook stickleback Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Lake | Iron | A | 20.5 ft | - |
| 2 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 3 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 4 | Beaver Lake | Alger | A | 14.7 ft | - |
| 5 | Duck Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Fruitland Township | Muskegon | A | 10.5 ft | - |
| 6 | Round Lake Central Basin | Lenawee | A | 12 ft | - |
| 7 | Beaver Lake | Keweenaw | B | 8 ft | - |
| 8 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 9 | Round Lake | Oakland | B | 10 ft | - |
| 10 | Blue Lake | Mecosta | B | 10 ft | - |
| 11 | Round Lake | Lenawee | B | 12.5 ft | - |
| 12 | Bass Lake Central Basin; Forsyth Township | Marquette | B | 11.8 ft | - |
| 13 | Tamarack Lake | Livingston | C | 8 ft | - |
| 14 | Round Lake | Mecosta | C | 8.5 ft | - |
| 15 | Green Lake Southwest Basin; Leighton Township | Allegan | C | 8 ft | - |
| 16 | Round Lake | Kent | C | 8 ft | - |
| 17 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | C | 8.5 ft | - |
| 18 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | C | 6 ft | - |
| 19 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | D | 6.5 ft | - |
| 20 | Font Lake | Charlevoix | D | 5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have brook stickleback?
Brook stickleback are found in 20 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best brook stickleback lakes in Michigan?
The best brook stickleback lakes in Michigan by water quality are Blue Lake, Round Lake, Round Lake, Beaver Lake, Duck Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Fruitland Township.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.