gizzard shad Lakes in Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan
Other SpeciesFound in 13 lakes
gizzard shad 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. gizzard shad is narrowly distributed — only 13 lakes in Minnesota 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 gizzard shad lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and gizzard shad documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
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 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 4 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 5 | Pickerel Lake | Dakota | MN | D | 11 ft | 15 |
| 6 | Little Spirit Lake | Jackson | MN | D | 8 ft | 23 |
| 7 | Winona Lake | Winona | MN | D | 38 ft | 24 |
| 8 | Madison Lake | Blue Earth | MN | D | 59 ft | 20 |
| 9 | Upper Estuary Lake | St. Louis | MN | D | 55 ft | 33 |
| 10 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | F | 60 ft | 47 |
| 11 | Spring Lake | Dakota | MN | F | 17 ft | 21 |
| 12 | Little Tuttle Lake | Martin | MN | F | 7 ft | 20 |
| 13 | Bright Lake | Martin | MN | F | 7 ft | 20 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have gizzard shad?
gizzard shad are found in 13 graded lakes: 13 in Minnesota. 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, Pool of Lake St. Croix, Pool on Lake St. Croix, Pickerel Lake. 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, channel catfish. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in gizzard shad Lakes
Found together in 13 lakes · 41 total
Found together in 13 lakes · 6 total
Found together in 13 lakes · 1 total
Found together in 13 lakes · 99 total
Found together in 12 lakes · 19 total
Found together in 12 lakes · 172 total
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.