Spotfin shiner Lakes in Michigan
Found in 21 Michigan lakes
Rough fish like Spotfin shiner are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 21 Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Spotfin shiner is narrowly distributed — only 21 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 Spotfin shiner lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Spotfin shiner documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best Spotfin shiner Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanford Lake | Benzie | A | 15.8 ft | - |
| 2 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 3 | Higgins Lake Northwest Basin | Roscommon | A | 34.5 ft | - |
| 4 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 5 | Round Lake Central Basin | Lenawee | A | 12 ft | - |
| 6 | Clark Lake | Livingston | B | 12 ft | - |
| 7 | Murray Lake East Basin; Grattan Township | Kent | B | 7.2 ft | - |
| 8 | Round Lake | Oakland | B | 10 ft | - |
| 9 | Gun Lake | Mason | B | 14 ft | - |
| 10 | Devils Lake | Lenawee | B | 10.8 ft | - |
| 11 | Sanford Lake | Benzie | B | 14.5 ft | - |
| 12 | Round Lake | Lenawee | B | 12.5 ft | - |
| 13 | Murray Lake | Kent | C | 7 ft | - |
| 14 | Round Lake | Mecosta | C | 8.5 ft | - |
| 15 | Green Lake | Allegan | C | 8 ft | - |
| 16 | Green Lake Southwest Basin; Leighton Township | Allegan | C | 8 ft | - |
| 17 | Round Lake | Kent | C | 8 ft | - |
| 18 | Rose Lake | Shiawassee | C | 5 ft | - |
| 19 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | C | 6 ft | - |
| 20 | Rose Lake | Shiawassee | D | 5.5 ft | - |
| 21 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | D | 6.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have spotfin shiner?
Spotfin shiner are found in 21 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best spotfin shiner lakes in Michigan?
The best spotfin shiner lakes in Michigan by water quality are Sanford Lake, Round Lake, Higgins Lake Northwest Basin, Round Lake, Round Lake Central Basin.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.