Silver Lamprey Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 7 graded lakes across 1 state
Silver Lamprey is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 7 lakes carry documentation. Silver Lamprey is narrowly distributed — only 7 lakes in Michigan 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 Silver Lamprey lake list below against the letter grades: lakes with both an A or B grade and Silver Lamprey documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Silver Lamprey Lakes
Best Silver Lamprey Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with silver lamprey ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Otter Lake | Benzie | MI | A | - | 30 |
| 2 | Crooked Lake | Emmet | MI | A | 50 ft | 26 |
| 3 | Crooked Lake | Barry | MI | NR | - | 27 |
| 4 | Otter Lake | Oakland | MI | NR | 70 ft | 30 |
| 5 | Portage Lake | Jackson | MI | NR | 40 ft | 34 |
| 6 | Crooked Lake | Oakland | MI | NR | 60 ft | 27 |
| 7 | Burt Lake | Cheboygan | MI | NR | 73 ft | 33 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have silver lamprey?
Silver Lamprey are found in 7 graded lakes: 7 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with silver lamprey is A (Excellent).
What are the best lakes for silver lamprey?
The best silver lamprey lakes by water quality are Otter Lake, Crooked Lake, Crooked Lake, Otter Lake, Portage Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where silver lamprey have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with silver lamprey?
Silver Lamprey are most commonly found alongside bluegill, bluntnose minnow, brown bullhead, johnny darter, largemouth bass. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Silver Lamprey Lakes
Found together in 7 lakes · 1,550 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 160 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 861 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 98 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 2,489 total
Found together in 7 lakes · 48 total
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.