Goldfish Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 3 Minnesota lakes
Goldfish is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 3 lakes carry documentation. Goldfish is narrowly distributed — only 3 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 grade on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Goldfish lake list below against the letter grades: lakes with both an A or B grade and Goldfish documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Goldfish Lakes Map
Every Minnesota lake with documented goldfish, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Goldfish Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Powderhorn Lake | Hennepin | F | 1.5 ft | 24 ft |
| 2 | Farquar Lake | Dakota | F | 1.7 ft | - |
| 3 | Fountain Lake | Freeborn | NR | 1.7 ft | 14 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have goldfish?
Goldfish are found in 3 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is F (Algae-prone).
What are the best goldfish lakes in Minnesota?
The best goldfish lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Powderhorn Lake, Farquar Lake, Fountain Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.