Fathead Minnow Fishing Guide

Other SpeciesDocumented in 18 graded lakes across 1 state

Rough fish like Fathead Minnow are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 18 Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Fathead Minnow is narrowly distributed — only 18 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 Fathead Minnow lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Fathead Minnow documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.

Total Lakes

Michigan lakes →

Avg. Grade

Water Quality of Fathead Minnow Lakes

22%

17%

44%

17%

Best Fathead Minnow Lakes by Water Quality

Top 50 lakes with fathead minnow ranked by overall water quality grade.

Rank	Lake	County	State	Grade	Depth	Species
1	Round Lake	Benzie	MI	A	-	37
2	Round Lake	Benzie	MI	A	-	37
3	Twin Lakes; Grayling Twp	Crawford	MI	A	-	7
4	Lake Harvey	Keweenaw	MI	A	-	5
5	Round Lake	Oakland	MI	B	-	37
6	Bass Lake North Basin; Forsyth Township	Marquette	MI	B	-	16
7	Grass Lake	Gladwin	MI	B	-	6
8	Cedar Lake	Alcona	MI	C	-	22
9	Round Lake	Mecosta	MI	C	-	37
10	Pleasant Lake	Wexford	MI	C	-	11
11	Twin Lakes	Oakland	MI	C	-	7
12	Pleasant Lake	Oakland	MI	C	-	11
13	Round Lake	Kent	MI	C	-	37
14	Pleasant Lake; West Bloomfield Township	Oakland	MI	C	-	11
15	Round Lake	Shiawassee	MI	C	-	37
16	Twin Lakes	Oakland	MI	D	-	7
17	Grass Lake	Gladwin	MI	D	-	6
18	Round Lake	Shiawassee	MI	D	-	37

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have fathead minnow?

Fathead Minnow are found in 18 graded lakes: 18 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with fathead minnow is C (Fair).

What are the best lakes for fathead minnow?

The best fathead minnow lakes by water quality are Round Lake, Round Lake, Twin Lakes; Grayling Twp, Lake Harvey, Round Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where fathead minnow have been documented by state DNR surveys.

What other fish are found with fathead minnow?

Fathead Minnow are most commonly found alongside fathead minnow, bluegill, largemouth bass, bluntnose minnow, western banded killifish. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.

Other Fish Species in Fathead Minnow Lakes

Bluegill Lakes

Found together in 15 lakes · 1,692 total

Largemouth Bass Lakes

Found together in 15 lakes · 2,637 total

Bluntnose Minnow Lakes

Found together in 14 lakes · 171 total

Western Banded Killifish Lakes

Found together in 13 lakes · 116 total

Yellow Perch Lakes

Found together in 13 lakes · 1,769 total

Blacknose Shiner Lakes

Found together in 12 lakes · 91 total

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