Silver Lamprey Lakes in Michigan
Found in 7 Michigan lakes
Rough fish like Silver Lamprey are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 7 Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. 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 LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Silver Lamprey documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Silver Lamprey Lakes Map
Every Michigan lake with documented silver lamprey, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Silver Lamprey Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Otter Lake | Benzie | A | 12 ft | - |
| 2 | Crooked Lake | Emmet | B | - | - |
| 3 | Otter Lake | Oakland | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 4 | Crooked Lake | Barry | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 5 | Otter Lake | Benzie | NR | 12 ft | - |
| 6 | Burt Lake | Cheboygan | NR | 15.5 ft | - |
| 7 | Black Lake | Cheboygan | NR | 16 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have silver lamprey?
Silver Lamprey are found in 7 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is A (Excellent).
What are the best silver lamprey lakes in Michigan?
The best silver lamprey lakes in Michigan by water quality are Otter Lake, Crooked Lake, Otter Lake, Crooked Lake, Otter Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.