Hornyhead chub Lakes in Michigan
Found in 28 Michigan lakes
Rough fish like Hornyhead chub are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 28 Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Hornyhead chub is narrowly distributed — only 28 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 Hornyhead chub lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Hornyhead chub documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best Hornyhead chub Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanford Lake | Benzie | A | 15.8 ft | - |
| 2 | Corey Lake | St. Joseph | A | 16 ft | - |
| 3 | Avery Lake | Montmorency | A | 27 ft | - |
| 4 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | A | 24 ft | - |
| 5 | Silver Lake | Cheboygan | A | 32 ft | - |
| 6 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | A | 18 ft | - |
| 7 | Silver Lake | Washtenaw | A | 11.5 ft | - |
| 8 | Upper Woodcock Lake; Almira Twp | Benzie | A | 11 ft | - |
| 9 | Long Lake | Cass | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 10 | Lake Ann | Benzie | B | 13.8 ft | - |
| 11 | Silver Lake | Washtenaw | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 12 | Long Lake South Central Basin | Cass | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 13 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 14 | Eagle Lake | Allegan | B | 14 ft | - |
| 15 | Silver Lake | Genesee | B | 12 ft | - |
| 16 | Long Lake | Benzie | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 17 | Lower Woodcock Lake | Benzie | B | 12.3 ft | - |
| 18 | Lower Woodcock Lake; Almira Twp | Benzie | B | 12.3 ft | - |
| 19 | Sanford Lake | Benzie | B | 14.5 ft | - |
| 20 | Upper Woodcock Lake | Benzie | B | 11 ft | - |
| 21 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 12 ft | - |
| 22 | Lake James | Roscommon | C | 6.8 ft | - |
| 23 | Silver Lake | Van Buren | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 24 | Brown Lake | Jackson | C | 8 ft | - |
| 25 | Green Lake | Allegan | C | 8 ft | - |
| 26 | Green Lake Southwest Basin; Leighton Township | Allegan | C | 8 ft | - |
| 27 | Baldwin Lake Northwest Basin | Cass | C | 8 ft | - |
| 28 | Baldwins Lake | Cass | C | 8 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have hornyhead chub?
Hornyhead chub are found in 28 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best hornyhead chub lakes in Michigan?
The best hornyhead chub lakes in Michigan by water quality are Sanford Lake, Corey Lake, Avery Lake, Long Lake, Silver Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.