Northern pearl dace Lakes in Michigan
Found in 15 Michigan lakes
Rough fish like Northern pearl dace are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 15 Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Northern pearl dace is narrowly distributed — only 15 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 LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Northern pearl dace documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best Northern pearl dace Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Squaw Lake | Kalkaska | A | 16 ft | - |
| 2 | Pickerel Lake | Kalkaska | A | 15 ft | - |
| 3 | Indian Lake Northeast Basin; Blue Lake Township | Kalkaska | A | 15.5 ft | - |
| 4 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | A | 24 ft | - |
| 5 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | A | 18 ft | - |
| 6 | Bass Lake Northeast Basin | Kalkaska | A | 18.5 ft | - |
| 7 | Big Blue Lake North Basin; Blue Lake Township | Kalkaska | A | - | - |
| 8 | Squaw Lake Central Basin; Blue Lake Township | Kalkaska | A | 16 ft | - |
| 9 | Lake Harvey | Keweenaw | A | 10.5 ft | - |
| 10 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 11 | Long Lake | Benzie | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 12 | Bass Lake North Basin; Forsyth Township | Marquette | B | 12.5 ft | - |
| 13 | Bass Lake Central Basin; Forsyth Township | Marquette | B | 11.8 ft | - |
| 14 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 12 ft | - |
| 15 | Pickerel Lake | Emmet | C | 9.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have northern pearl dace?
Northern pearl dace are found in 15 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best northern pearl dace lakes in Michigan?
The best northern pearl dace lakes in Michigan by water quality are Squaw Lake, Pickerel Lake, Indian Lake Northeast Basin; Blue Lake Township, Long Lake, Long Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.