river redhorse Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 18 Minnesota lakes
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. 18 lakes carry documentation. river redhorse is narrowly distributed — only 18 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 redhorse lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and river redhorse documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best river redhorse Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | B | 5.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 2 | Upper Twin Lake | Hubbard | B | 6.9 ft | 12 ft |
| 3 | Koronis Lake | Stearns | C | 6 ft | 132 ft |
| 4 | Lower Twin Lake | Wadena | C | 6.9 ft | 26 ft |
| 5 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | C | 8.7 ft | 78 ft |
| 6 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | C | 9.4 ft | 78 ft |
| 7 | Third Crow Wing Lake | Hubbard | C | 2.5 ft | 35 ft |
| 8 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 9 | Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge | Washington | C | 5 ft | 78 ft |
| 10 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 11 | St. Croix 3.5 Mi. Downstream of E Chestnut St Lake | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 12 | St. Croix 0.3 Mi. Downstream of I Lake | Washington | C | 6.1 ft | 78 ft |
| 13 | Zumbro Lake | Olmsted | D | 3.9 ft | 43 ft |
| 14 | Cedar Island Lake | Stearns | D | 4 ft | 75 ft |
| 15 | Round Lake | Jackson | D | 2 ft | 9 ft |
| 16 | Horseshoe Lake | Stearns | D | 4 ft | 57 ft |
| 17 | Emily Lake | Pope | F | 2 ft | 6 ft |
| 18 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | F | 3 ft | 60 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have river redhorse?
river redhorse are found in 18 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is D (Poor).
What are the best river redhorse lakes in Minnesota?
The best river redhorse lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Lake St. Croix, Upper Twin Lake, Koronis Lake, Lower Twin Lake, St. Croix Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.