Northern Redbelly Dace Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 12 graded lakes across 1 state
Rough fish like Northern Redbelly 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 Redbelly 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 Redbelly Dace lake list below against the letter grades: lakes with both an A or B grade and Northern Redbelly Dace documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Northern Redbelly Dace Lakes
Best Northern Redbelly Dace Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with northern redbelly dace ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Blue Lake | Kalkaska | MI | A | - | 17 |
| 2 | Beaver Lake | Keweenaw | MI | B | - | 16 |
| 3 | Beaver Lake | Alger | MI | B | 39 ft | 14 |
| 4 | Cedar Lake | Alcona | MI | NR | 10 ft | 22 |
| 5 | Lake Margrethe | Crawford | MI | NR | 65 ft | 21 |
| 6 | Tamarack Lake | Livingston | MI | NR | 34 ft | 6 |
| 7 | Cedar Lake | Oakland | MI | NR | - | 22 |
| 8 | Wallace Lake | Keweenaw | MI | NR | - | 6 |
| 9 | Shag Lake | Marquette | MI | NR | 30 ft | 7 |
| 10 | Bass Lake | Marquette | MI | NR | 25 ft | 16 |
| 11 | Elk Lake | Antrim | MI | NR | 150 ft | 27 |
| 12 | Shag Lake | Marquette | MI | NR | - | 7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have northern redbelly dace?
Northern Redbelly Dace are found in 12 graded lakes: 12 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with northern redbelly dace is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for northern redbelly dace?
The best northern redbelly dace lakes by water quality are Big Blue Lake, Beaver Lake, Beaver Lake, Cedar Lake, Lake Margrethe. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where northern redbelly dace have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with northern redbelly dace?
Northern Redbelly Dace are most commonly found alongside northern redbelly dace, yellow perch, white sucker, bluntnose minnow, iowa darter. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Northern Redbelly Dace Lakes
Found together in 10 lakes · 1,577 total
Found together in 9 lakes · 1,211 total
Found together in 8 lakes · 160 total
Found together in 8 lakes · 126 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 84 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 77 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.