Golden redhorse Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 25 Minnesota lakes · 15 in Michigan
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 Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Side Lake | St. Louis | A | 11.5 ft | 32 ft |
| 2 | Sturgeon Lake | St. Louis | A | 13.8 ft | 79.8 ft |
| 3 | Wright Lake | Otter Tail | B | 13.7 ft | 32 ft |
| 4 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | B | 5.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 5 | Koronis Lake | Stearns | C | 6 ft | 132 ft |
| 6 | Lower Twin Lake | Wadena | C | 6.9 ft | 26 ft |
| 7 | Little Sturgeon Lake | St. Louis | C | 4.8 ft | 22 ft |
| 8 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | C | 8.7 ft | 78 ft |
| 9 | South Sturgeon Lake | St. Louis | C | 2.5 ft | 43 ft |
| 10 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 11 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 12 | Orwell Lake | Otter Tail | C | 4.1 ft | 25 ft |
| 13 | Dixon Lake | Itasca | C | 6 ft | 29 ft |
| 14 | Zumbro Lake | Olmsted | D | 4 ft | 43 ft |
| 15 | Fish Lake | Wright | D | 3 ft | 38 ft |
| 16 | Rice Lake | Stearns | D | 3 ft | 41 ft |
| 17 | Horseshoe Lake | Stearns | D | 4 ft | 57 ft |
| 18 | Unnamed Lake | Wright | D | 1.3 ft | 38 ft |
| 19 | Fish Lake | Kanabec | F | 2 ft | 8 ft |
| 20 | Pokegama Lake | Pine | F | 2 ft | 25 ft |
| 21 | Silver Lake | Olmsted | F | 2 ft | 11 ft |
| 22 | Knife Lake | Kanabec | F | 2 ft | 15 ft |
| 23 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | F | 3 ft | 60 ft |
| 24 | Spring Lake | Dakota | F | 2.1 ft | 17 ft |
| 25 | Byllesby Lake | Dakota | F | 3 ft | 50 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have golden redhorse?
Golden redhorse are found in 25 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is D (Poor).
What are the best golden redhorse lakes in Minnesota?
The best golden redhorse lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Side Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Wright Lake, Lake St. Croix, Koronis Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.