longnose gar Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 17 Minnesota lakes
Rough fish like longnose gar are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 17 Minnesota lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. longnose gar is narrowly distributed — only 17 Minnesota lakes and 0 Wisconsin lakes 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 Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unnamed Lake | Otter Tail | A | 15.1 ft | 95 ft |
| 2 | Ten Mile Lake | Otter Tail | B | 13.6 ft | 51 ft |
| 3 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | B | 5.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 4 | Stalker Lake | Otter Tail | C | 6.6 ft | 95 ft |
| 5 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | C | 8.7 ft | 78 ft |
| 6 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | C | 9.4 ft | 78 ft |
| 7 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 8 | Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge | Washington | C | 5 ft | 78 ft |
| 9 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 10 | St. Croix 3.5 Mi. Downstream of E Chestnut St Lake | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 11 | St. Croix 0.3 Mi. Downstream of I Lake | Washington | C | 6.1 ft | 78 ft |
| 12 | Barrett Lake | Grant | D | 4 ft | 28 ft |
| 13 | Mazaska Lake | Rice | D | 2.5 ft | 50 ft |
| 14 | Lake Jefferson | Le Sueur | D | 5 ft | 37 ft |
| 15 | Winona Lake | Winona | D | 2.6 ft | 38 ft |
| 16 | German Lake | Le Sueur | D | 3.2 ft | 51 ft |
| 17 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | F | 3 ft | 60 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have longnose gar?
longnose gar are found in 17 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is C (Fair).
What are the best longnose gar lakes in Minnesota?
The best longnose gar lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Unnamed Lake, Ten Mile Lake, Lake St. Croix, Stalker Lake, St. Croix Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.