Rainbow smelt Lakes in Michigan
Found in 15 Michigan lakes
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. 15 lakes carry documentation. Rainbow smelt 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 Rainbow smelt lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Rainbow smelt documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best Rainbow smelt Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crystal Lake | Benzie | A | 32 ft | - |
| 2 | Lake Charlevoix | Charlevoix | A | 17.8 ft | - |
| 3 | Walloon Lake | Emmet | A | - | - |
| 4 | Lake Charlevoix | Charlevoix | A | - | - |
| 5 | Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township | Barry | A | 12.5 ft | - |
| 6 | Duck Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Fruitland Township | Muskegon | A | 10.5 ft | - |
| 7 | Crystal Lake | Montcalm | B | 10 ft | - |
| 8 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 9 | Crystal Lake | Gogebic | B | 10 ft | - |
| 10 | Crystal Lake | Hillsdale | B | 9.5 ft | - |
| 11 | Gun Lake | Mason | B | 14 ft | - |
| 12 | Crystal Lake; East Central Basin; Watersmeet Township | Gogebic | B | 11 ft | - |
| 13 | Crystal Lake | Hillsdale | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 14 | Lake Bellaire | Antrim | C | 8.8 ft | - |
| 15 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | C | 8.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have rainbow smelt?
Rainbow smelt are found in 15 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best rainbow smelt lakes in Michigan?
The best rainbow smelt lakes in Michigan by water quality are Crystal Lake, Lake Charlevoix, Walloon Lake, Lake Charlevoix, Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.