gizzard shad Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 15 lakes
Water Quality of gizzard shad Lakes
Best gizzard shad Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with gizzard shad 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 | Pickerel Lake | Dakota | MN | D | 11 ft | 15 |
| 10 | Little Spirit Lake | Jackson | MN | D | 8 ft | 23 |
| 11 | Winona Lake | Winona | MN | D | 38 ft | 24 |
| 12 | Madison Lake | Blue Earth | MN | D | 59 ft | 20 |
| 13 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | F | 60 ft | 47 |
| 14 | Spring Lake | Dakota | MN | F | 17 ft | 21 |
| 15 | Little Tuttle Lake | Martin | MN | F | 7 ft | 20 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have gizzard shad?
gizzard shad are found in 15 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin — 15 in Minnesota and 0 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with gizzard shad is D (Poor).
What are the best lakes for gizzard shad?
The best gizzard shad 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 gizzard shad have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with gizzard shad?
gizzard shad are most commonly found alongside black crappie, common carp, freshwater drum, northern pike, bluegill. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.