flathead catfish Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 11 lakes
flathead catfish is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 11 lakes carry documentation. flathead catfish is narrowly distributed — only 11 Minnesota lakes and 0 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 flathead catfish lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and flathead catfish documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of flathead catfish Lakes
Best flathead catfish Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with flathead catfish ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | B | 78 ft | 36 |
| 2 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 3 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 4 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 5 | Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 6 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 7 | St. Croix 3.5 Mi. Downstream of E Chestnut St Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 8 | St. Croix 0.3 Mi. Downstream of I Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 9 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | F | 60 ft | 47 |
| 10 | Spring Lake | Dakota | MN | F | 17 ft | 21 |
| 11 | Byllesby Lake | Dakota | MN | F | 50 ft | 19 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have flathead catfish?
flathead catfish are found in 11 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 11 in Minnesota and 0 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with flathead catfish is D (Poor).
What are the best lakes for flathead catfish?
The best flathead catfish lakes by water quality are Lake St. Croix, St. Croix Lake, St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake, Pool of Lake St. Croix, Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where flathead catfish have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with flathead catfish?
flathead catfish are most commonly found alongside black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, freshwater drum. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.