Chestnut Lamprey Lakes in Michigan
Found in 4 Michigan lakes
Rough fish like Chestnut Lamprey are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 4 Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Chestnut Lamprey is narrowly distributed — only 4 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 Chestnut Lamprey lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Chestnut Lamprey documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Chestnut Lamprey Lakes Map
Every Michigan lake with documented chestnut lamprey, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Chestnut Lamprey Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manistee Lake South | Manistee | A | - | - |
| 2 | Portage Lake Southwest Basin; Mendon Township | St. Joseph | C | 5 ft | - |
| 3 | Hamlin Lake | Mason | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 4 | Portage Lake | St. Joseph | NR | 4.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have chestnut lamprey?
Chestnut Lamprey are found in 4 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best chestnut lamprey lakes in Michigan?
The best chestnut lamprey lakes in Michigan by water quality are Manistee Lake South, Portage Lake Southwest Basin; Mendon Township, Hamlin Lake, Portage Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.