Gizzard Shad Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 12 Minnesota lakes
Rough fish like Gizzard Shad are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 12 Minnesota lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Gizzard Shad is narrowly distributed — only 12 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 phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings 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 each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Gizzard Shad documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Gizzard Shad Lakes Map
Every Minnesota lake with documented gizzard shad.
Best Gizzard Shad Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St Croix | Pierce | 7.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 2 | Pool | Washington | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 3 | Pool of Lake St Croix | Washington | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 4 | Upper Estuary Lake | St. Louis | 1.9 ft | 55 ft |
| 5 | Little Spirit Lake | Jackson | 3.3 ft | 8 ft |
| 6 | Madison Lake | Blue Earth | 4 ft | 59 ft |
| 7 | Winona Lake | Winona | 2.6 ft | 38 ft |
| 8 | Bright Lake | Martin | 1 ft | 7 ft |
| 9 | Pickerel Lake | Dakota | 3.5 ft | 11 ft |
| 10 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | 3 ft | 60 ft |
| 11 | Spring Lake | Dakota | 2.1 ft | 17 ft |
| 12 | Little Tuttle Lake | Martin | 1 ft | 7 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have gizzard shad?
Gizzard Shad are found in 12 lakes in Minnesota.
What are the best gizzard shad lakes in Minnesota?
The best gizzard shad lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Lake St Croix, Pool, Pool of Lake St Croix, Upper Estuary Lake, Little Spirit Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.