shortnose gar Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 22 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. 22 lakes carry documentation. shortnose gar is narrowly distributed — only 22 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 shortnose gar lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and shortnose gar documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best shortnose gar Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elkhorn Lake | Kandiyohi | A | 14.1 ft | 41 ft |
| 2 | Florida Lake | Kandiyohi | B | 12.5 ft | 40 ft |
| 3 | Fireman'S Lake | Carver | B | 10.8 ft | 23 ft |
| 4 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | B | 5.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 5 | Games Lake | Kandiyohi | C | 5.6 ft | 42 ft |
| 6 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | C | 8.7 ft | 78 ft |
| 7 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | C | 9.4 ft | 78 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 | Norway Lake | Kandiyohi | D | 3 ft | 42 ft |
| 14 | Little Spirit Lake | Jackson | D | 3.3 ft | 8 ft |
| 15 | Winona Lake | Winona | D | 2.6 ft | 38 ft |
| 16 | Madison Lake | Blue Earth | D | 3.6 ft | 59 ft |
| 17 | Round Lake | Jackson | D | 2 ft | 9 ft |
| 18 | Willmar Lake | Kandiyohi | D | 2 ft | 14 ft |
| 19 | German Lake | Le Sueur | D | 3.2 ft | 51 ft |
| 20 | Loon Lake | Jackson | F | 0.9 ft | 8 ft |
| 21 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | F | 3 ft | 60 ft |
| 22 | Pearl Lake | Jackson | F | 1 ft | 6 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have shortnose gar?
shortnose gar are found in 22 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is D (Poor).
What are the best shortnose gar lakes in Minnesota?
The best shortnose gar lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Elkhorn Lake, Florida Lake, Fireman'S Lake, Lake St. Croix, Games Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.