Sand shiner Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 80 lakes
Sand shiner is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 80 lakes carry documentation. Sand shiner is narrowly distributed — only 0 Minnesota lakes and 80 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 Sand shiner lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Sand shiner documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Sand shiner Lakes
Best Sand shiner Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with sand shiner ranked by overall water quality grade.
Showing top 50 of 80 lakes with sand shiner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have sand shiner?
Sand shiner are found in 80 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 0 in Minnesota and 80 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with sand shiner is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for sand shiner?
The best sand shiner lakes by water quality are Pickerel Lake, Lake Margrethe, Higgins Lake East Basin, Higgins Lake Northwest Basin, Long Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where sand shiner have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with sand shiner?
Sand shiner are most commonly found alongside bluntnose minnow, yellow perch, bluegill, rock bass, johnny darter. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.