gizzard shad Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 15 Minnesota lakes
Rough fish like gizzard shad are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 15 Minnesota lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. gizzard shad is narrowly distributed — only 15 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 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.
Best gizzard shad Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | B | 5.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 2 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | C | 8.7 ft | 78 ft |
| 3 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | C | 9.4 ft | 78 ft |
| 4 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 5 | Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge | Washington | C | 5 ft | 78 ft |
| 6 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 7 | St. Croix 3.5 Mi. Downstream of E Chestnut St Lake | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 8 | St. Croix 0.3 Mi. Downstream of I Lake | Washington | C | 6.1 ft | 78 ft |
| 9 | Pickerel Lake | Dakota | D | 3.6 ft | 11 ft |
| 10 | Little Spirit Lake | Jackson | D | 3.3 ft | 8 ft |
| 11 | Winona Lake | Winona | D | 2.6 ft | 38 ft |
| 12 | Madison Lake | Blue Earth | D | 3.6 ft | 59 ft |
| 13 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | F | 3 ft | 60 ft |
| 14 | Spring Lake | Dakota | F | 2.1 ft | 17 ft |
| 15 | Little Tuttle Lake | Martin | F | 1 ft | 7 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have gizzard shad?
gizzard shad are found in 15 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is D (Poor).
What are the best gizzard shad lakes in Minnesota?
The best gizzard shad lakes in Minnesota 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.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.