Spotted Gar Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 26 graded lakes across 1 state
Spotted Gar is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 26 lakes carry documentation. Spotted Gar is narrowly distributed — only 26 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 Spotted Gar lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Spotted Gar documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Spotted Gar Lakes
Best Spotted Gar Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with spotted gar ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Round Lake | Benzie | MI | A | - | 37 |
| 2 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | MI | A | - | 40 |
| 3 | Round Lake | Benzie | MI | A | - | 37 |
| 4 | Silver Lake | Cheboygan | MI | A | - | 15 |
| 5 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | MI | A | - | 40 |
| 6 | Silver Lake | Washtenaw | MI | A | - | 15 |
| 7 | Duck Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Fruitland Township | Muskegon | MI | A | - | 22 |
| 8 | Silver Lake | Washtenaw | MI | B | - | 15 |
| 9 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | MI | B | - | 22 |
| 10 | Long Lake | Gogebic | MI | B | - | 40 |
| 11 | Lake of the Woods | Branch | MI | B | - | 16 |
| 12 | Silver Lake | Genesee | MI | B | - | 15 |
| 13 | Round Lake | Oakland | MI | B | - | 37 |
| 14 | Long Lake | Benzie | MI | B | - | 40 |
| 15 | Sugarloaf Lake; Lyndon Twp | Washtenaw | MI | B | - | 2 |
| 16 | Long Lake | Gogebic | MI | B | - | 40 |
| 17 | Shavehead Lake | Cass | MI | C | - | 26 |
| 18 | Round Lake | Mecosta | MI | C | - | 37 |
| 19 | Silver Lake | Van Buren | MI | C | - | 15 |
| 20 | Round Lake | Kent | MI | C | - | 37 |
| 21 | Sugarloaf Lake | Washtenaw | MI | C | - | 2 |
| 22 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | MI | C | - | 22 |
| 23 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | MI | C | - | 37 |
| 24 | North Pond | Chippewa | MI | C | - | 11 |
| 25 | South Pond | Chippewa | MI | D | - | 6 |
| 26 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | MI | D | - | 37 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have spotted gar?
Spotted Gar are found in 26 graded lakes: 26 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with spotted gar is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for spotted gar?
The best spotted gar lakes by water quality are Round Lake, Long Lake, Round Lake, Silver Lake, Long Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where spotted gar have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with spotted gar?
Spotted Gar are most commonly found alongside spotted gar, pumpkinseed, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, yellow perch. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Spotted Gar Lakes
Found together in 24 lakes · 1,391 total
Found together in 23 lakes · 1,692 total
Found together in 23 lakes · 171 total
Found together in 23 lakes · 1,769 total
Found together in 22 lakes · 2,637 total
Found together in 20 lakes · 789 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.