Shortnose Gar Fishing Guide: 19 Lakes by Water Quality

Shortnose Gar is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 19 lakes carry documentation. Shortnose Gar is narrowly distributed — only 19 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 Shortnose Gar lake list below against each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Shortnose Gar documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.

Total Lakes

Minnesota lakes →

38 ft

Avg. Depth

Best Shortnose Gar Lakes by Water Quality

Top 50 lakes with shortnose gar, ranked on nutrient and algae readings.

Rank	Lake	County	State	Depth	Species
1	Florida Lake	Kandiyohi	MN	40 ft	18
2	Elkhorn Lake	Kandiyohi	MN	41 ft	15
3	Fireman'S Lake	Carver	MN	23 ft	8
4	Lake St Croix	Pierce	MN	78 ft	36
5	Pool	Washington	MN	78 ft	36
6	Pool of Lake St Croix	Washington	MN	78 ft	36
7	Games Lake	Kandiyohi	MN	42 ft	15
8	Round Lake	Jackson	MN	9 ft	17
9	Willmar Lake	Kandiyohi	MN	14 ft	18
10	Little Spirit Lake	Jackson	MN	8 ft	23
11	Madison Lake	Blue Earth	MN	59 ft	20
12	High Island Lake	Sibley	MN	6.5 ft	11
13	Norway Lake	Kandiyohi	MN	42 ft	15
14	Loon Lake	Jackson	MN	8 ft	18
15	German Lake	Le Sueur	MN	51 ft	19
16	Pearl Lake	Jackson	MN	6 ft	14
17	Winona Lake	Winona	MN	38 ft	24
18	Titlow Lake	Sibley	MN	-	8
19	Pepin Lake	Pepin	MN	60 ft	47

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have shortnose gar?

Shortnose Gar are documented in 19 lakes: 19 in Minnesota.

What are the best lakes for shortnose gar?

The best shortnose gar lakes by water quality are Florida Lake, Elkhorn Lake, Fireman'S Lake, Lake St Croix, Pool. These lakes carry the lowest nutrient and algae readings among all lakes where shortnose gar have been documented by state DNR surveys.

What other fish are found with shortnose gar?

Shortnose Gar are most commonly found alongside shortnose gar, black bullhead, black crappie, common carp, bluegill. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.

Other Fish Species in Shortnose Gar Lakes

Black Bullhead Lakes

Found together in 18 lakes · 911 total

Black Crappie Lakes

Found together in 18 lakes · 1,386 total

Common Carp Lakes

Found together in 18 lakes · 487 total

Bluegill Lakes

Found together in 17 lakes · 1,550 total

Freshwater Drum Lakes

Found together in 17 lakes · 99 total

Northern Pike Lakes

Found together in 17 lakes · 2,386 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.