Brook trout Lakes in Michigan
Found in 12 Michigan lakes
Rough fish like Brook trout are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 12 Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Brook trout is narrowly distributed — only 12 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 trout lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Brook trout documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best Brook trout Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Lake | Iron | A | 20.5 ft | - |
| 2 | Higgins Lake Northwest Basin | Roscommon | A | 34.5 ft | - |
| 3 | Beaver Lake | Alger | A | 14.7 ft | - |
| 4 | Duck Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Fruitland Township | Muskegon | A | 10.5 ft | - |
| 5 | Beaver Lake | Keweenaw | B | 8 ft | - |
| 6 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 7 | Blue Lake | Mecosta | B | 10 ft | - |
| 8 | Stager Lake Central Basin | Iron | B | 13 ft | - |
| 9 | Stager Lake | Iron | B | 12.5 ft | - |
| 10 | Duck Lake North Basin; Watersmeet Township | Gogebic | B | 9.5 ft | - |
| 11 | Duck Lake | Gogebic | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 12 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | C | 8.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have brook trout?
Brook trout are found in 12 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best brook trout lakes in Michigan?
The best brook trout lakes in Michigan by water quality are Blue Lake, Higgins Lake Northwest Basin, Beaver Lake, Duck Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Fruitland Township, Beaver Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.