Golden Redhorse Lakes in Michigan
Found in 13 Michigan lakes · 24 in Minnesota
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. 37 lakes carry documentation. Golden Redhorse is narrowly distributed — only 24 lakes in Minnesota and 13 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 phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings 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 each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Golden Redhorse documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Golden Redhorse Lakes Map
Every Michigan lake with documented golden redhorse.
Best Golden Redhorse Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tamarack Lake | Livingston | 7 ft | 34 ft |
| 2 | South Pond | Chippewa | 1.4 ft | - |
| 3 | Long Lake | Gogebic | 12 ft | 60 ft |
| 4 | Posey Lake | Lenawee | 5 ft | 45 ft |
| 5 | Eagle Lake | Allegan | 15 ft | - |
| 6 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | 24.3 ft | 88 ft |
| 7 | Long Lake | Benzie | 9 ft | - |
| 8 | Baldwin Lake | Cass | 9 ft | - |
| 9 | Long Lake | Cass | 10.5 ft | 42 ft |
| 10 | South Lake | Lenawee | 9.8 ft | - |
| 11 | Baldwins Lake | Cass | 8 ft | 55 ft |
| 12 | Muskegon Lake | Muskegon | 10.8 ft | 66 ft |
| 13 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | 18 ft | 61 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have golden redhorse?
Golden Redhorse are found in 13 lakes in Michigan.
What are the best golden redhorse lakes in Michigan?
The best golden redhorse lakes in Michigan by water quality are Tamarack Lake, South Pond, Long Lake, Posey Lake, Eagle Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.