longnose gar Lakes in Michigan
Found in 43 Michigan lakes · 13 in Minnesota
longnose gar is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 13 lakes carry documentation. longnose gar is narrowly distributed — only 13 lakes in Minnesota 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 longnose gar lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and longnose gar documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best longnose gar Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township | Montcalm | A | 16 ft | - |
| 2 | Whitefish Lake | Montcalm | A | 16.8 ft | - |
| 3 | Pickerel Lake | Kalkaska | A | 15 ft | - |
| 4 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 5 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | A | 24 ft | - |
| 6 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 7 | Diamond Lake | Osceola | A | 16 ft | - |
| 8 | Burt Lake | Cheboygan | A | 15.5 ft | - |
| 9 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | A | 18 ft | - |
| 10 | Crooked Lake | Emmet | A | - | - |
| 11 | Elk Lake | Antrim | A | - | - |
| 12 | Round Lake Central Basin | Lenawee | A | 12 ft | - |
| 13 | Long Lake | Cass | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 14 | Chippewa Lake | Mecosta | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 15 | Portage Lake South Basin; Dexter Township | Washtenaw | B | 13 ft | - |
| 16 | Clark Lake | Livingston | B | 12 ft | - |
| 17 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 18 | Eagle Lake | Allegan | B | 14 ft | - |
| 19 | Round Lake | Oakland | B | 10 ft | - |
| 20 | Long Lake | Benzie | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 21 | Gun Lake | Mason | B | 14 ft | - |
| 22 | Crooked Lake | Barry | B | 10 ft | - |
| 23 | Devils Lake | Lenawee | B | 10.8 ft | - |
| 24 | Elk Lake | Antrim | B | 14.5 ft | - |
| 25 | Round Lake | Lenawee | B | 12.5 ft | - |
| 26 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 12 ft | - |
| 27 | Upper Herring Lake; Central Basin; Blaine Township | Benzie | B | 8 ft | - |
| 28 | Houghton Lake | Roscommon | B | 5 ft | - |
| 29 | Middle Lake | Lapeer | C | 9 ft | - |
| 30 | Round Lake | Mecosta | C | 8.5 ft | - |
| 31 | Upper Herring Lake | Benzie | C | 7.5 ft | - |
| 32 | Pleasant Lake | Wexford | C | 9.3 ft | - |
| 33 | Baldwin Lake Northwest Basin | Cass | C | 8 ft | - |
| 34 | Pleasant Lake | Oakland | C | 9 ft | - |
| 35 | Pickerel Lake | Emmet | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 36 | Round Lake | Kent | C | 8 ft | - |
| 37 | Pleasant Lake; West Bloomfield Township | Oakland | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 38 | Baldwins Lake | Cass | C | 8 ft | - |
| 39 | Lake Bellaire | Antrim | C | 8.8 ft | - |
| 40 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | C | 6 ft | - |
| 41 | Eagle Lake | Cass | D | 6 ft | - |
| 42 | Union Lake | Branch | D | 3.5 ft | - |
| 43 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | D | 6.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have longnose gar?
longnose gar are found in 43 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best longnose gar lakes in Michigan?
The best longnose gar lakes in Michigan by water quality are Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township, Whitefish Lake, Pickerel Lake, Round Lake, Long Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.