Skip to main content
LakeQuality

Northern hog sucker Lakes in Michigan

Found in 2 Michigan 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 lakes in Michigan 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.

2
Michigan Lakes
B
Avg. Grade
1
Grade A Lakes
2
Counties

Best Northern hog sucker Lakes in Michigan

RankLakeCountyGradeClarityDepth
1Ore Lake West Basin; Hamburg TownshipLivingstonA10 ft-
2Portage Lake South Basin; Dexter TownshipWashtenawB13 ft-

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Michigan lakes have northern hog sucker?

Northern hog sucker are found in 2 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).

What are the best northern hog sucker lakes in Michigan?

The best northern hog sucker lakes in Michigan by water quality are Ore Lake West Basin; Hamburg Township, Portage Lake South Basin; Dexter Township.

Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.