Mimic shiner Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 75 lakes
Mimic shiner is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 75 lakes carry documentation. Mimic shiner is narrowly distributed — only 0 Minnesota lakes and 75 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 Mimic shiner lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Mimic shiner documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Mimic shiner Lakes
Best Mimic shiner Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with mimic shiner ranked by overall water quality grade.
Showing top 50 of 75 lakes with mimic shiner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have mimic shiner?
Mimic shiner are found in 75 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 0 in Minnesota and 75 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with mimic shiner is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for mimic shiner?
The best mimic shiner lakes by water quality are Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township, Whitefish Lake, Opal Lake Central Basin;Otesgo Lake Township Sec12, Cub Lake Central Basin, Lake Margrethe. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where mimic shiner have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with mimic shiner?
Mimic shiner are most commonly found alongside yellow perch, bluntnose minnow, bluegill, johnny darter, largemouth bass. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.