highfin carpsucker Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 10 lakes
highfin carpsucker is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 10 lakes carry documentation. highfin carpsucker is narrowly distributed — only 10 Minnesota lakes and 0 Wisconsin lakes 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 highfin carpsucker lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and highfin carpsucker documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of highfin carpsucker Lakes
Best highfin carpsucker Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with highfin carpsucker ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | B | 78 ft | 36 |
| 2 | Eagle Lake | Kandiyohi | MN | C | 67 ft | 17 |
| 3 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 4 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 5 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 6 | Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 7 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 8 | St. Croix 3.5 Mi. Downstream of E Chestnut St Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 9 | St. Croix 0.3 Mi. Downstream of I Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 10 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | F | 60 ft | 47 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have highfin carpsucker?
highfin carpsucker are found in 10 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 10 in Minnesota and 0 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with highfin carpsucker is C (Fair).
What are the best lakes for highfin carpsucker?
The best highfin carpsucker lakes by water quality are Lake St. Croix, Eagle Lake, St. Croix Lake, St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake, Pool of Lake St. Croix. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where highfin carpsucker have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with highfin carpsucker?
highfin carpsucker are most commonly found alongside bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, common carp. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.