River Redhorse Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 15 graded lakes across 1 state
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 grade 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 the letter grades: lakes with both an A or B grade and River Redhorse documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of River Redhorse Lakes
Best River Redhorse Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with river redhorse ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St Croix | Pierce | MN | B | 78 ft | 36 |
| 2 | Third Crow Wing Lake | Hubbard | MN | B | 35 ft | 18 |
| 3 | Pool | Washington | MN | B | 78 ft | 36 |
| 4 | Koronis Lake | Stearns | MN | C | 132 ft | 22 |
| 5 | Upper Twin Lake | Hubbard | MN | C | 12 ft | 18 |
| 6 | Pool of Lake St Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 7 | Round Lake | Jackson | MN | D | 9 ft | 17 |
| 8 | Zumbro Lake | Olmsted | MN | D | 43 ft | 24 |
| 9 | Emily Lake | Pope | MN | D | 6 ft | 26 |
| 10 | Lower Twin Lake | Wadena | MN | D | 26 ft | 21 |
| 11 | Horseshoe Lake | Stearns | MN | F | 57 ft | 25 |
| 12 | Cedar Island Lake | Stearns | MN | F | 75 ft | 22 |
| 13 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | NR | 60 ft | 47 |
| 14 | Second Crow Wing Lake | Hubbard | MN | NR | 35 ft | 15 |
| 15 | Talcot Lake | Cottonwood | MN | NR | 6 ft | 19 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have river redhorse?
River Redhorse are found in 15 graded lakes: 15 in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of lakes with river redhorse is C (Fair).
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 have the highest water quality grades 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
Found together in 15 lakes · 1,428 total
Found together in 15 lakes · 2,487 total
Found together in 15 lakes · 1,982 total
Found together in 15 lakes · 1,256 total
Found together in 15 lakes · 1,631 total
Found together in 14 lakes · 1,601 total
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.