River Redhorse Fishing Guide: 15 Lakes by Water Quality

River Redhorse 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. River Redhorse is narrowly distributed — only 15 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 phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the River Redhorse lake list below against each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and River Redhorse documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.

Total Lakes

Minnesota lakes →

49 ft

Avg. Depth

Best River Redhorse Lakes by Water Quality

Top 50 lakes with river redhorse, ranked on nutrient and algae readings.

Rank	Lake	County	State	Depth	Species
1	Lake St Croix	Pierce	MN	78 ft	36
2	Third Crow Wing Lake	Hubbard	MN	35 ft	18
3	Pool	Washington	MN	78 ft	36
4	Koronis Lake	Stearns	MN	132 ft	22
5	Upper Twin Lake	Hubbard	MN	12 ft	18
6	Pool of Lake St Croix	Washington	MN	78 ft	36
7	Round Lake	Jackson	MN	9 ft	17
8	Zumbro Lake	Olmsted	MN	43 ft	24
9	Emily Lake	Pope	MN	6 ft	26
10	Lower Twin Lake	Wadena	MN	26 ft	21
11	Horseshoe Lake	Stearns	MN	57 ft	25
12	Cedar Island Lake	Stearns	MN	75 ft	22
13	Pepin Lake	Pepin	MN	60 ft	47
14	Second Crow Wing Lake	Hubbard	MN	35 ft	15
15	Talcot Lake	Cottonwood	MN	6 ft	19

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have river redhorse?

River Redhorse are documented in 15 lakes: 15 in Minnesota.

What are the best lakes for river redhorse?

The best river redhorse lakes by water quality are Lake St Croix, Third Crow Wing Lake, Pool, Koronis Lake, Upper Twin Lake. These lakes carry the lowest nutrient and algae readings among all lakes where river redhorse have been documented by state DNR surveys.

What other fish are found with river redhorse?

River Redhorse are most commonly found alongside black crappie, northern pike, river redhorse, walleye, white sucker. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.

Other Fish Species in River Redhorse Lakes

Black Crappie Lakes

Found together in 15 lakes · 1,386 total

Northern Pike Lakes

Found together in 15 lakes · 2,386 total

Walleye Lakes

Found together in 15 lakes · 1,884 total

White Sucker Lakes

Found together in 15 lakes · 1,211 total

Yellow Perch Lakes

Found together in 15 lakes · 1,577 total

Bluegill Lakes

Found together in 14 lakes · 1,550 total

Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.