Rainbow darter Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 8 lakes
Rainbow darter is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 8 lakes carry documentation. Rainbow darter is narrowly distributed — only 0 Minnesota lakes and 8 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 Rainbow darter lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Rainbow darter documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Rainbow darter Lakes
Best Rainbow darter Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with rainbow darter ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Lake South Central Basin | Cass | MI | B | - | 25 |
| 2 | Base Line Lake Northeast Basin; Hamburg Township | Livingston | MI | B | - | 16 |
| 3 | Tamarack Lake North Basin; Hamburg Township | Livingston | MI | C | - | 20 |
| 4 | Baldwins Lake | Cass | MI | C | - | 33 |
| 5 | Viking Lake Central Basin; Otsego Lake Township; T29n R3w Sect 24 | Otsego | MI | C | - | 18 |
| 6 | Union Lake | Branch | MI | D | - | 22 |
| 7 | Portage Lake | St. Joseph | MI | D | - | 3 |
| 8 | Portage Lake Southwest Basin; Mendon Township | St. Joseph | MI | D | - | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have rainbow darter?
Rainbow darter are found in 8 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 0 in Minnesota and 8 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with rainbow darter is C (Fair).
What are the best lakes for rainbow darter?
The best rainbow darter lakes by water quality are Long Lake South Central Basin, Base Line Lake Northeast Basin; Hamburg Township, Tamarack Lake North Basin; Hamburg Township, Baldwins Lake, Viking Lake Central Basin; Otsego Lake Township; T29n R3w Sect 24. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where rainbow darter have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with rainbow darter?
Rainbow darter are most commonly found alongside bluntnose minnow, johnny darter, yellow perch, bluegill, brook silverside. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.