Burbot Lakes in Michigan

Rough fish like Burbot are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 113 Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Burbot is moderately distributed — 105 lakes in Minnesota and 8 in Michigan. Some counties have it, others do not, so checking the per-lake pages matters.

Rough-fish-dominant lakes are worth checking the phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Burbot lake list below against each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Burbot documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.