Rainbow Smelt Lakes in Michigan

Rainbow Smelt is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 27 lakes carry documentation. 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.