Least Darter Lakes in Michigan
Found in 17 Michigan lakes
Least Darter is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 17 lakes carry documentation. Least Darter is narrowly distributed — only 17 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 Least Darter lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Least Darter documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Least Darter Lakes Map
Every Michigan lake with documented least darter, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Least Darter Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township | Montcalm | A | 16 ft | - |
| 2 | Murray Lake East Basin; Grattan Township | Kent | A | 7.2 ft | - |
| 3 | Eagle Lake East Basin; Paw Paw Township | Van Buren | A | 17 ft | - |
| 4 | Bass Lake | Leelanau | B | 11.2 ft | - |
| 5 | Bass Lake | Lake | NR | 14 ft | - |
| 6 | Bear Lake | Manistee | NR | 11 ft | - |
| 7 | Bass Lake | Montcalm | NR | 10.8 ft | - |
| 8 | Whitefish Lake | Montcalm | NR | 16.8 ft | - |
| 9 | Pickerel Lake | Kalkaska | NR | 15 ft | - |
| 10 | Eagle Lake | Allegan | NR | 14 ft | - |
| 11 | Lake of the Woods | Branch | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 12 | Avery Lake | Montmorency | NR | 27 ft | - |
| 13 | Eagle Lake | Van Buren | NR | 15 ft | - |
| 14 | Devils Lake | Lenawee | NR | 10.8 ft | - |
| 15 | Au Sable Lake | Ogemaw | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 16 | Bass Lake | Marquette | NR | 12 ft | - |
| 17 | Bass Lake Central Basin; Forsyth Township | Marquette | NR | 11.8 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have least darter?
Least Darter are found in 17 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is A (Excellent).
What are the best least darter lakes in Michigan?
The best least darter lakes in Michigan by water quality are Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township, Murray Lake East Basin; Grattan Township, Eagle Lake East Basin; Paw Paw Township, Bass Lake, Bass Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.