Emerald Shiner Lakes in Michigan
Found in 13 Michigan 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. 13 lakes carry documentation. Emerald Shiner is narrowly distributed — only 13 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 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.
Emerald Shiner Lakes Map
Every Michigan lake with documented emerald shiner, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Emerald Shiner Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crystal Lake | Hillsdale | A | 9.5 ft | - |
| 2 | Lower Herring Lake East Basin; Blaire Township | Benzie | A | 16 ft | - |
| 3 | Crystal Lake; East Central Basin; Watersmeet Township | Gogebic | B | 11 ft | - |
| 4 | Crooked Lake | Emmet | B | - | - |
| 5 | Bear Lake East Basin; Pleasanton Township | Manistee | NR | 11 ft | - |
| 6 | Crystal Lake | Montcalm | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 7 | Clark Lake | Livingston | NR | 12 ft | - |
| 8 | Cedar Lake | Alcona | NR | 8 ft | - |
| 9 | Crystal Lake | Gogebic | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 10 | Crystal Lake | Hillsdale | NR | 9.5 ft | - |
| 11 | Crooked Lake | Barry | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 12 | Burt Lake | Cheboygan | NR | 15.5 ft | - |
| 13 | Lower Herring Lake | Benzie | NR | 13.8 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have emerald shiner?
Emerald Shiner are found in 13 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is A (Excellent).
What are the best emerald shiner lakes in Michigan?
The best emerald shiner lakes in Michigan by water quality are Crystal Lake, Lower Herring Lake East Basin; Blaire Township, Crystal Lake; East Central Basin; Watersmeet Township, Crooked Lake, Bear Lake East Basin; Pleasanton Township.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.