Deepwater sculpin Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 1 lakes
Deepwater sculpin is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 1 lakes carry documentation. Deepwater sculpin is narrowly distributed — only 0 Minnesota lakes and 1 Wisconsin lakes 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 Deepwater sculpin lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Deepwater sculpin documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Deepwater sculpin Lakes
Best Deepwater sculpin Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with deepwater sculpin ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Torch Lake | Antrim | MI | A | - | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have deepwater sculpin?
Deepwater sculpin are found in 1 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 0 in Minnesota and 1 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with deepwater sculpin is A (Excellent).
What are the best lakes for deepwater sculpin?
The best deepwater sculpin lakes by water quality are Torch Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where deepwater sculpin have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with deepwater sculpin?
Deepwater sculpin are most commonly found alongside atlantic salmon, lake herring. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.