Lake whitefish Lakes in Michigan
Found in 22 Michigan lakes
Lake whitefish is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 22 lakes carry documentation. Lake whitefish is narrowly distributed — only 22 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 Lake whitefish lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Lake whitefish documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best Lake whitefish Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicagon Lake | Iron | A | 20.3 ft | - |
| 2 | Higgins Lake | Roscommon | A | 34 ft | - |
| 3 | Crystal Lake | Benzie | A | 32 ft | - |
| 4 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | A | 24 ft | - |
| 5 | Chicagon Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township | Iron | A | 20.3 ft | - |
| 6 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | A | 18 ft | - |
| 7 | Lake Charlevoix | Charlevoix | A | 17.8 ft | - |
| 8 | Hubbard Lake Central Basin | Alcona | A | 17 ft | - |
| 9 | Hubbard Lake | Alcona | A | 24.5 ft | - |
| 10 | Elk Lake | Antrim | A | - | - |
| 11 | Lake Charlevoix | Charlevoix | A | - | - |
| 12 | Siskiwit Lake | Keweenaw | A | 19.3 ft | - |
| 13 | Crystal Lake | Montcalm | B | 10 ft | - |
| 14 | Crystal Lake | Gogebic | B | 10 ft | - |
| 15 | Crystal Lake | Hillsdale | B | 9.5 ft | - |
| 16 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 17 | Long Lake | Benzie | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 18 | Crystal Lake; East Central Basin; Watersmeet Township | Gogebic | B | 11 ft | - |
| 19 | Elk Lake | Antrim | B | 14.5 ft | - |
| 20 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 12 ft | - |
| 21 | Lake Desor | Keweenaw | B | 7.8 ft | - |
| 22 | Crystal Lake | Hillsdale | C | 9.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have lake whitefish?
Lake whitefish are found in 22 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best lake whitefish lakes in Michigan?
The best lake whitefish lakes in Michigan by water quality are Chicagon Lake, Higgins Lake, Crystal Lake, Long Lake, Chicagon Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.