River Carpsucker Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 9 Minnesota lakes
Rough fish like River Carpsucker are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 9 Minnesota lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. River Carpsucker is narrowly distributed — only 9 lakes in Minnesota 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 letter grades: lakes with both an A or B grade and River Carpsucker documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
River Carpsucker Lakes Map
Every Minnesota lake with documented river carpsucker, colored by water-quality grade.
Best River Carpsucker Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St Croix | Pierce | B | 7.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 2 | Pool | Washington | B | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 3 | Pool of Lake St Croix | Washington | C | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 4 | Zumbro Lake | Olmsted | D | 4 ft | 43 ft |
| 5 | Willmar Lake | Kandiyohi | D | 2 ft | 14 ft |
| 6 | Madison Lake | Blue Earth | D | 4 ft | 59 ft |
| 7 | Cannon Lake | Rice | F | 4.1 ft | 15 ft |
| 8 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | NR | 3 ft | 60 ft |
| 9 | Spring Lake | Dakota | NR | 2.1 ft | 17 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have river carpsucker?
River Carpsucker are found in 9 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is C (Fair).
What are the best river carpsucker lakes in Minnesota?
The best river carpsucker lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Lake St Croix, Pool, Pool of Lake St Croix, Zumbro Lake, Willmar Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.