Finescale Dace Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 4 graded lakes across 1 state
Rough fish like Finescale Dace are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 4 Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Finescale Dace is narrowly distributed — only 4 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 Finescale Dace lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Finescale Dace documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Finescale Dace Lakes
Best Finescale Dace Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with finescale dace ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bass Lake Northeast Basin | Kalkaska | MI | A | - | 12 |
| 2 | Big Blue Lake North Basin; Blue Lake Township | Kalkaska | MI | A | - | 17 |
| 3 | Grass Lake | Gladwin | MI | B | - | 6 |
| 4 | Grass Lake | Gladwin | MI | D | - | 6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have finescale dace?
Finescale Dace are found in 4 graded lakes: 4 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with finescale dace is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for finescale dace?
The best finescale dace lakes by water quality are Bass Lake Northeast Basin, Big Blue Lake North Basin; Blue Lake Township, Grass Lake, Grass Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where finescale dace have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with finescale dace?
Finescale Dace are most commonly found alongside bluntnose minnow, finescale dace, smallmouth bass, blacknose shiner, golden shiner. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Finescale Dace Lakes
Found together in 4 lakes · 171 total
Found together in 3 lakes · 996 total
Found together in 2 lakes · 91 total
Found together in 2 lakes · 77 total
Found together in 2 lakes · 131 total
Found together in 2 lakes · 15 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.