Northern Pearl Dace Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 12 graded lakes across 1 state
Rough fish like Northern Pearl Dace are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 12 the United States (49 states), Canada (Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador), and 38 other country hubs. LakeQuality covers lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Northern Pearl Dace is narrowly distributed — only 12 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 Pearl Dace lake list below against the letter grades: lakes with both an A or B grade and Northern Pearl Dace documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Northern Pearl Dace Lakes
Best Northern Pearl Dace Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with northern pearl dace ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Blue Lake | Kalkaska | MI | A | - | 17 |
| 2 | Lake Harvey | Keweenaw | MI | B | - | 5 |
| 3 | Long Lake | Gogebic | MI | NR | 60 ft | 40 |
| 4 | Pickerel Lake | Kalkaska | MI | NR | 72 ft | 29 |
| 5 | Squaw Lake | Kalkaska | MI | NR | 5 ft | 8 |
| 6 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | MI | NR | 88 ft | 40 |
| 7 | Long Lake | Benzie | MI | NR | - | 40 |
| 8 | Bass Lake | Marquette | MI | NR | 25 ft | 16 |
| 9 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | MI | NR | 61 ft | 40 |
| 10 | Pickerel Lake | Emmet | MI | NR | 74 ft | 22 |
| 11 | Bass Lake | Marquette | MI | NR | 78 ft | 10 |
| 12 | Bass Lake | Kalkaska | MI | NR | - | 12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have northern pearl dace?
Northern Pearl Dace are found in 12 graded lakes: 12 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with northern pearl dace is A (Excellent).
What are the best lakes for northern pearl dace?
The best northern pearl dace lakes by water quality are Big Blue Lake, Lake Harvey, Long Lake, Pickerel Lake, Squaw Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where northern pearl dace have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with northern pearl dace?
Northern Pearl Dace are most commonly found alongside northern pearl dace, yellow perch, bluntnose minnow, iowa darter, white sucker. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Northern Pearl Dace Lakes
Found together in 12 lakes · 1,577 total
Found together in 11 lakes · 160 total
Found together in 11 lakes · 126 total
Found together in 11 lakes · 1,211 total
Found together in 10 lakes · 84 total
Found together in 10 lakes · 2,489 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.