river carpsucker Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 13 Minnesota lakes
Rough fish like river carpsucker are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 13 Minnesota lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. river carpsucker is narrowly distributed — only 13 Minnesota lakes and 0 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 river carpsucker lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and river carpsucker documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best river carpsucker Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | B | 5.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 2 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | C | 8.7 ft | 78 ft |
| 3 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | C | 9.4 ft | 78 ft |
| 4 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 5 | Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge | Washington | C | 5 ft | 78 ft |
| 6 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 7 | St. Croix 3.5 Mi. Downstream of E Chestnut St Lake | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 8 | St. Croix 0.3 Mi. Downstream of I Lake | Washington | C | 6.1 ft | 78 ft |
| 9 | Zumbro Lake | Olmsted | D | 3.9 ft | 43 ft |
| 10 | Madison Lake | Blue Earth | D | 3.6 ft | 59 ft |
| 11 | Willmar Lake | Kandiyohi | D | 2 ft | 14 ft |
| 12 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | F | 3 ft | 60 ft |
| 13 | Spring Lake | Dakota | F | 2.1 ft | 17 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have river carpsucker?
river carpsucker are found in 13 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is D (Poor).
What are the best river carpsucker lakes in Minnesota?
The best river carpsucker lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Lake St. Croix, St. Croix Lake, St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake, Pool of Lake St. Croix, Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.