Spotfin Shiner Fishing Guide: 16 Lakes by Water Quality

Spotfin Shiner is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 16 lakes carry documentation. Spotfin Shiner is narrowly distributed — only 16 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 phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Spotfin Shiner lake list below against each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Spotfin Shiner documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.

Total Lakes

Michigan lakes →

48 ft

Avg. Depth

Best Spotfin Shiner Lakes by Water Quality

Top 50 lakes with spotfin shiner, ranked on nutrient and algae readings.

Rank	Lake	County	State	Depth	Species
1	Derby Lake	Montcalm	MI	87 ft	12
2	Murray Lake	Kent	MI	-	29
3	Round Lake	Lenawee	MI	67 ft	25
4	Round Lake	Benzie	MI	-	37
5	Round Lake	Shiawassee	MI	-	37
6	Sanford Lake	Benzie	MI	-	17
7	Clark Lake	Jackson	MI	50 ft	19
8	Sanford Lake	Midland	MI	20 ft	17
9	Evans Lake	Lenawee	MI	42 ft	19
10	Round Lake	Oakland	MI	15 ft	37
11	Round Lake	Oakland	MI	-	37
12	Clark Lake	Livingston	MI	40 ft	20
13	Rose Lake	Shiawassee	MI	-	17
14	Round Lake	Shiawassee	MI	-	37
15	Green Lake	Allegan	MI	60 ft	20
16	Round Lake	Kent	MI	-	37

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have spotfin shiner?

Spotfin Shiner are documented in 16 lakes: 16 in Michigan.

What are the best lakes for spotfin shiner?

The best spotfin shiner lakes by water quality are Derby Lake, Murray Lake, Round Lake, Round Lake, Round Lake. These lakes carry the lowest nutrient and algae readings among all lakes where spotfin shiner have been documented by state DNR surveys.

What other fish are found with spotfin shiner?

Spotfin Shiner are most commonly found alongside bluegill, largemouth bass, spotfin shiner, bluntnose minnow, rock bass. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.

Other Fish Species in Spotfin Shiner Lakes

Bluegill Lakes

Found together in 16 lakes · 1,550 total

Largemouth Bass Lakes

Found together in 16 lakes · 2,489 total

Bluntnose Minnow Lakes

Found together in 15 lakes · 160 total

Rock Bass Lakes

Found together in 14 lakes · 786 total

Yellow Perch Lakes

Found together in 14 lakes · 1,577 total

Blacknose Shiner Lakes

Found together in 13 lakes · 84 total

Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.