Shortnose Gar Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 19 Minnesota 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 grade 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 the letter grades: lakes with both an A or B grade and Shortnose Gar documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Shortnose Gar Lakes Map
Every Minnesota lake with documented shortnose gar, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Shortnose Gar Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida Lake | Kandiyohi | A | 12.3 ft | 40 ft |
| 2 | Elkhorn Lake | Kandiyohi | A | 14 ft | 41 ft |
| 3 | Fireman'S Lake | Carver | A | 10.7 ft | 23 ft |
| 4 | Lake St Croix | Pierce | B | 7.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 5 | Pool | Washington | B | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 6 | Pool of Lake St Croix | Washington | C | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 7 | Games Lake | Kandiyohi | C | 5.2 ft | 42 ft |
| 8 | Round Lake | Jackson | D | 2 ft | 9 ft |
| 9 | Willmar Lake | Kandiyohi | D | 2 ft | 14 ft |
| 10 | Little Spirit Lake | Jackson | D | 3.3 ft | 8 ft |
| 11 | Madison Lake | Blue Earth | D | 4 ft | 59 ft |
| 12 | High Island Lake | Sibley | D | 2.1 ft | 6.5 ft |
| 13 | Norway Lake | Kandiyohi | F | 2.4 ft | 42 ft |
| 14 | Loon Lake | Jackson | F | 0.9 ft | 8 ft |
| 15 | German Lake | Le Sueur | F | 3.5 ft | 51 ft |
| 16 | Pearl Lake | Jackson | F | 1 ft | 6 ft |
| 17 | Winona Lake | Winona | F | 2.6 ft | 38 ft |
| 18 | Titlow Lake | Sibley | F | 0.3 ft | - |
| 19 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | NR | 3 ft | 60 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have shortnose gar?
Shortnose Gar are found in 19 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is C (Fair).
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 grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.