Emerald shiner Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 15 lakes
Emerald shiner is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 15 lakes carry documentation. Emerald shiner is narrowly distributed — only 0 Minnesota lakes and 15 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 Emerald shiner lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Emerald shiner documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Emerald shiner Lakes
Best Emerald shiner Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with emerald shiner ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lower Herring Lake East Basin; Blaire Township | Benzie | MI | A | - | 25 |
| 2 | Burt Lake | Cheboygan | MI | A | - | 33 |
| 3 | Crooked Lake | Emmet | MI | A | - | 26 |
| 4 | Lower Hamlin Lake North Central Basin South of the Narrows | Mason | MI | A | - | 11 |
| 5 | Fremont Lake North Central Basin;Sheridan Township Section 3 | Newaygo | MI | A | - | 23 |
| 6 | Bear Lake East Basin; Pleasanton Township | Manistee | MI | B | - | 4 |
| 7 | Crystal Lake | Montcalm | MI | B | - | 16 |
| 8 | Clark Lake | Livingston | MI | B | - | 20 |
| 9 | Crystal Lake | Gogebic | MI | B | - | 16 |
| 10 | Crystal Lake | Hillsdale | MI | B | - | 16 |
| 11 | Crooked Lake | Barry | MI | B | - | 27 |
| 12 | Crystal Lake; East Central Basin; Watersmeet Township | Gogebic | MI | B | - | 16 |
| 13 | Lower Herring Lake | Benzie | MI | B | - | 25 |
| 14 | Cedar Lake | Alcona | MI | C | - | 22 |
| 15 | Crystal Lake | Hillsdale | MI | C | - | 16 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have emerald shiner?
Emerald shiner are found in 15 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 0 in Minnesota and 15 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with emerald shiner is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for emerald shiner?
The best emerald shiner lakes by water quality are Lower Herring Lake East Basin; Blaire Township, Burt Lake, Crooked Lake, Lower Hamlin Lake North Central Basin South of the Narrows, Fremont Lake North Central Basin;Sheridan Township Section 3. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where emerald shiner have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with emerald shiner?
Emerald shiner are most commonly found alongside yellow perch, bluegill, smallmouth bass, common shiner, johnny darter. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.