Longnose Sucker Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 6 graded lakes across 2 states
Longnose Sucker is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 6 lakes carry documentation. Longnose Sucker is narrowly distributed — only 3 lakes in Michigan and 3 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 Sucker lake list below against the letter grades: lakes with both an A or B grade and Longnose Sucker documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Longnose Sucker Lakes
Best Longnose Sucker Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with longnose sucker ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Otter Lake | Benzie | MI | A | - | 30 |
| 2 | Upper Estuary Lake | St. Louis | MN | C | 55 ft | 33 |
| 3 | Rainy Lake | Koochiching | MN | NR | 161 ft | 17 |
| 4 | Rainy Lake | St. Louis | MN | NR | 161 ft | 17 |
| 5 | Otter Lake | Oakland | MI | NR | - | 30 |
| 6 | Otter Lake | Benzie | MI | NR | - | 30 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have longnose sucker?
Longnose Sucker are found in 6 graded lakes: 3 in Michigan, 3 in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of lakes with longnose sucker is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for longnose sucker?
The best longnose sucker lakes by water quality are Otter Lake, Upper Estuary Lake, Rainy Lake, Rainy Lake, Otter Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where longnose sucker have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with longnose sucker?
Longnose Sucker are most commonly found alongside bigmouth shiner, black bullhead, black crappie, blacknose shiner, bluegill. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Longnose Sucker Lakes
Found together in 3 lakes · 5 total
Found together in 3 lakes · 937 total
Found together in 3 lakes · 1,428 total
Found together in 3 lakes · 91 total
Found together in 3 lakes · 1,601 total
Found together in 3 lakes · 168 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.