northern hog sucker Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 2 lakes
northern hog sucker is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 2 lakes carry documentation. northern hog sucker is narrowly distributed — only 2 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 northern hog sucker lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and northern hog sucker documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of northern hog sucker Lakes
Best northern hog sucker Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with northern hog sucker ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knife Lake | Kanabec | MN | F | 15 ft | 19 |
| 2 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | F | 60 ft | 47 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have northern hog sucker?
northern hog sucker are found in 2 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 2 in Minnesota and 0 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with northern hog sucker is F (Very Poor).
What are the best lakes for northern hog sucker?
The best northern hog sucker lakes by water quality are Knife Lake, Pepin Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where northern hog sucker have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with northern hog sucker?
northern hog sucker are most commonly found alongside black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, golden redhorse, greater redhorse. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.