Shortnose Gar Lakes in Minnesota, 19 Lakes

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.

Minnesota Lakes

Counties

Shortnose Gar Lakes Map

Every Minnesota lake with documented shortnose gar.

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Best Shortnose Gar Lakes in Minnesota

Rank	Lake	County	Clarity	Depth
1	Florida Lake	Kandiyohi	12.3 ft	40 ft
2	Elkhorn Lake	Kandiyohi	14 ft	41 ft
3	Fireman'S Lake	Carver	10.7 ft	23 ft
4	Lake St Croix	Pierce	7.2 ft	78 ft
5	Pool	Washington	5.9 ft	78 ft
6	Pool of Lake St Croix	Washington	4.3 ft	78 ft
7	Games Lake	Kandiyohi	5.2 ft	42 ft
8	Round Lake	Jackson	2 ft	9 ft
9	Willmar Lake	Kandiyohi	2 ft	14 ft
10	Little Spirit Lake	Jackson	3.3 ft	8 ft
11	Madison Lake	Blue Earth	4 ft	59 ft
12	High Island Lake	Sibley	2.1 ft	6.5 ft
13	Norway Lake	Kandiyohi	2.4 ft	42 ft
14	Loon Lake	Jackson	0.9 ft	8 ft
15	German Lake	Le Sueur	3.5 ft	51 ft
16	Pearl Lake	Jackson	1 ft	6 ft
17	Winona Lake	Winona	2.6 ft	38 ft
18	Titlow Lake	Sibley	0.3 ft	-
19	Pepin Lake	Pepin	3 ft	60 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Minnesota lakes have shortnose gar?

Shortnose Gar are found in 19 lakes in Minnesota.

What are the best shortnose gar lakes in Minnesota?

The best shortnose gar lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Florida Lake, Elkhorn Lake, Fireman'S Lake, Lake St Croix, Pool.

Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.