Rainbow trout Lakes in Michigan
Found in 14 Michigan lakes
Rainbow trout is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 14 lakes carry documentation. Rainbow trout is narrowly distributed — only 14 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 trout lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Rainbow trout documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best Rainbow trout Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | A | 24 ft | - |
| 2 | Opal Lake | Otsego | A | 18.5 ft | - |
| 3 | Burt Lake | Cheboygan | A | 15.5 ft | - |
| 4 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | A | 18 ft | - |
| 5 | Crooked Lake | Emmet | A | - | - |
| 6 | Elk Lake | Antrim | A | - | - |
| 7 | Big Blue Lake North Basin; Blue Lake Township | Kalkaska | A | - | - |
| 8 | Beaver Lake | Alger | A | 14.7 ft | - |
| 9 | Beaver Lake | Keweenaw | B | 8 ft | - |
| 10 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 11 | Long Lake | Benzie | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 12 | Crooked Lake | Barry | B | 10 ft | - |
| 13 | Elk Lake | Antrim | B | 14.5 ft | - |
| 14 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 12 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have rainbow trout?
Rainbow trout are found in 14 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is A (Excellent).
What are the best rainbow trout lakes in Michigan?
The best rainbow trout lakes in Michigan by water quality are Long Lake, Opal Lake, Burt Lake, Long Lake, Crooked Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.