Golden redhorse Lakes in Michigan
Found in 15 Michigan lakes
Golden redhorse is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 15 lakes carry documentation. Golden redhorse is narrowly distributed — only 15 lakes in Michigan 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 Golden redhorse lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Golden redhorse documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best Golden redhorse Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | A | 24 ft | - |
| 2 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | A | 18 ft | - |
| 3 | Long Lake | Cass | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 4 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 5 | Eagle Lake | Allegan | B | 14 ft | - |
| 6 | Long Lake | Benzie | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 7 | Base Line Lake Northeast Basin; Hamburg Township | Livingston | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 8 | Muskegon Lake | Muskegon | B | 10.8 ft | - |
| 9 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 12 ft | - |
| 10 | Tamarack Lake North Basin; Hamburg Township | Livingston | C | 7 ft | - |
| 11 | Posey Lake Central Basin; Hudson Township | Lenawee | C | 5 ft | - |
| 12 | Baldwin Lake Northwest Basin | Cass | C | 8 ft | - |
| 13 | Baldwins Lake | Cass | C | 8 ft | - |
| 14 | South Pond | Chippewa | D | 1.3 ft | - |
| 15 | Posey Lake | Lenawee | D | 4.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have golden redhorse?
Golden redhorse are found in 15 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best golden redhorse lakes in Michigan?
The best golden redhorse lakes in Michigan by water quality are Long Lake, Long Lake, Long Lake, Long Lake, Eagle Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.