Spotted gar Lakes in Michigan
Found in 26 Michigan lakes
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.
Best Spotted gar Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 2 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | A | 24 ft | - |
| 3 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 4 | Silver Lake | Cheboygan | A | 32 ft | - |
| 5 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | A | 18 ft | - |
| 6 | Silver Lake | Washtenaw | A | 11.5 ft | - |
| 7 | Duck Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Fruitland Township | Muskegon | A | 10.5 ft | - |
| 8 | Silver Lake | Washtenaw | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 9 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 10 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 11 | Lake of the Woods | Branch | B | 10 ft | - |
| 12 | Silver Lake | Genesee | B | 12 ft | - |
| 13 | Round Lake | Oakland | B | 10 ft | - |
| 14 | Long Lake | Benzie | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 15 | Sugarloaf Lake; Lyndon Twp | Washtenaw | B | 9.5 ft | - |
| 16 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 12 ft | - |
| 17 | Shavehead Lake | Cass | C | 7 ft | - |
| 18 | Round Lake | Mecosta | C | 8.5 ft | - |
| 19 | Silver Lake | Van Buren | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 20 | Round Lake | Kent | C | 8 ft | - |
| 21 | Sugarloaf Lake | Washtenaw | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 22 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | C | 8.5 ft | - |
| 23 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | C | 6 ft | - |
| 24 | North Pond | Chippewa | C | - | - |
| 25 | South Pond | Chippewa | D | 1.3 ft | - |
| 26 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | D | 6.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have spotted gar?
Spotted gar are found in 26 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best spotted gar lakes in Michigan?
The best spotted gar lakes in Michigan by water quality are Round Lake, Long Lake, Round Lake, Silver Lake, Long Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.