Johnny Darter Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 109 graded lakes across 1 state
Rough fish like Johnny Darter are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 109 Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Johnny Darter is moderately distributed — 109 lakes in Michigan. Some counties have it, others do not, so checking the per-lake pages matters.
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 Johnny Darter lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Johnny Darter documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Johnny Darter Lakes
Best Johnny Darter Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with johnny darter ranked by overall water quality grade.
Showing top 50 of 109 lakes with johnny darter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have johnny darter?
Johnny Darter are found in 109 graded lakes: 109 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with johnny darter is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for johnny darter?
The best johnny darter lakes by water quality are Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township, Sanford Lake, Windover Lake, Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township, Whitefish Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where johnny darter have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with johnny darter?
Johnny Darter are most commonly found alongside johnny darter, yellow perch, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, largemouth bass. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Johnny Darter Lakes
Found together in 100 lakes · 1,769 total
Found together in 90 lakes · 1,692 total
Found together in 90 lakes · 171 total
Found together in 86 lakes · 2,637 total
Found together in 81 lakes · 1,391 total
Found together in 71 lakes · 846 total
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.