Emerald Shiner Fishing Guide: 16 Lakes by Water Quality

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. 16 lakes carry documentation. Emerald Shiner is narrowly distributed — only 16 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 phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings 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 each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Emerald Shiner documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.

Total Lakes

Michigan lakes →

40 ft

Avg. Depth

Best Emerald Shiner Lakes by Water Quality

Top 50 lakes with emerald shiner, ranked on nutrient and algae readings.

Rank	Lake	County	State	Depth	Species
1	Crystal Lake	Washtenaw	MI	-	16
2	Crystal Lake	Oceana	MI	34 ft	2
3	Crystal Lake	Hillsdale	MI	-	16
4	Crooked Lake	Emmet	MI	50 ft	26
5	Lower Hamlin Lake	Mason	MI	-	11
6	Lower Herring Lake	Benzie	MI	50 ft	25
7	Little Island Lake	Iosco	MI	9 ft	1
8	Crooked Lake	Barry	MI	-	27
9	Clark Lake	Jackson	MI	50 ft	19
10	Cedar Lake	Alcona	MI	10 ft	22
11	Cedar Lake	Iosco	MI	-	20
12	Crystal Lake	Gogebic	MI	25 ft	16
13	Cedar Lake	Oakland	MI	-	22
14	Crooked Lake	Oakland	MI	60 ft	27
15	Clark Lake	Livingston	MI	40 ft	20
16	Burt Lake	Cheboygan	MI	73 ft	33

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have emerald shiner?

Emerald Shiner are documented in 16 lakes: 16 in Michigan.

What are the best lakes for emerald shiner?

The best emerald shiner lakes by water quality are Crystal Lake, Crystal Lake, Crystal Lake, Crooked Lake, Lower Hamlin Lake. These lakes carry the lowest nutrient and algae readings 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 emerald shiner, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, largemouth bass. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.

Other Fish Species in Emerald Shiner Lakes

Smallmouth Bass Lakes

Found together in 15 lakes · 871 total

Yellow Perch Lakes

Found together in 14 lakes · 1,577 total

Bluegill Lakes

Found together in 13 lakes · 1,550 total

Largemouth Bass Lakes

Found together in 12 lakes · 2,489 total

Common Shiner Lakes

Found together in 11 lakes · 68 total

Johnny Darter Lakes

Found together in 11 lakes · 98 total

Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.