Rainbow Smelt Fishing Guide: 27 Lakes by Water Quality

Rough fish like Rainbow Smelt are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 27 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. Rainbow Smelt is narrowly distributed — only 15 lakes in Minnesota and 12 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 phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Rainbow Smelt lake list below against each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Rainbow Smelt documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.

Total Lakes

Minnesota lakes →

Michigan lakes →

131 ft

Avg. Depth

Best Rainbow Smelt Lakes by Water Quality

Top 50 lakes with rainbow smelt, ranked on nutrient and algae readings.

Rank	Lake	County	State	Depth	Species
1	Trout Lake	Cook	MN	77 ft	6
2	Pokegama Lake	Itasca	MN	112 ft	19
3	Hungry Jack Lake	Cook	MN	71 ft	9
4	Burntside Lake	St. Louis	MN	126 ft	15
5	Gunflint Lake	Cook	MN	200 ft	12
6	Bearskin Lake	Cook	MN	78 ft	9
7	Duck Lake	Muskegon	MI	-	22
8	Crystal Lake	Washtenaw	MI	-	16
9	Little Long Lake	Barry	MI	30 ft	1
10	Crystal Lake	Hillsdale	MI	-	16
11	Walloon Lake	Emmet	MI	-	20
12	Upper Estuary Lake	St. Louis	MN	55 ft	33
13	Lake Charlevoix	Charlevoix	MI	122 ft	3
14	Rainy Lake	Koochiching	MN	161 ft	17
15	Sand Point Lake	St. Louis	MN	184 ft	21
16	Little Long Lake	St. Louis	MN	45 ft	11
17	Lac la Croix Lake	St. Louis	MN	168 ft	12
18	Chester Lake	Cook	MN	35 ft	3
19	Little Gunflint Lake	Cook	MN	200 ft	12
20	Iron Chief Complex Lake	St. Louis	MN	262.1 ft	3
21	Gilbert Pit Lake	St. Louis	MN	443 ft	10
22	Lake Bellaire	Antrim	MI	95 ft	22
23	Crystal Lake	Benzie	MI	175 ft	9
24	Crystal Lake	Gogebic	MI	25 ft	16
25	Duck Lake	Grand Traverse	MI	98 ft	3
26	Lake Charlevoix	Charlevoix	MI	122 ft	3
27	Duck Lake	Muskegon	MI	-	22

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have rainbow smelt?

Rainbow Smelt are documented in 27 lakes: 15 in Minnesota, 12 in Michigan.

What are the best lakes for rainbow smelt?

The best rainbow smelt lakes by water quality are Trout Lake, Pokegama Lake, Hungry Jack Lake, Burntside Lake, Gunflint Lake. These lakes carry the lowest nutrient and algae readings among all lakes where rainbow smelt have been documented by state DNR surveys.

What other fish are found with rainbow smelt?

Rainbow Smelt are most commonly found alongside rainbow smelt, yellow perch, white sucker, northern pike, smallmouth bass. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.

Other Fish Species in Rainbow Smelt Lakes

Yellow Perch Lakes

Found together in 13 lakes · 1,577 total

White Sucker Lakes

Found together in 12 lakes · 1,211 total

Northern Pike Lakes

Found together in 12 lakes · 2,386 total

Smallmouth Bass Lakes

Found together in 12 lakes · 871 total

Walleye Lakes

Found together in 12 lakes · 1,884 total

Bluegill Lakes

Found together in 10 lakes · 1,550 total

Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.