Spotted Gar Lakes in Michigan
Found in 25 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. 25 lakes carry documentation. Spotted Gar is narrowly distributed — only 25 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.
Spotted Gar Lakes Map
Every Michigan lake with documented spotted gar, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Spotted Gar Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silver Lake | Washtenaw | A | 11.5 ft | - |
| 2 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 3 | Sugarloaf Lake; Lyndon Twp | Washtenaw | A | 9.5 ft | - |
| 4 | Long Lake | Gogebic | A | 12 ft | - |
| 5 | North Pond | Chippewa | B | - | - |
| 6 | South Pond | Chippewa | C | 1.3 ft | - |
| 7 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | D | 6 ft | - |
| 8 | Silver Lake | Washtenaw | NR | 11.5 ft | - |
| 9 | Shavehead Lake | Cass | NR | 7 ft | - |
| 10 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | NR | 10.5 ft | - |
| 11 | Round Lake | Mecosta | NR | 8.5 ft | - |
| 12 | Long Lake | Gogebic | NR | 11.5 ft | - |
| 13 | Lake of the Woods | Branch | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 14 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | NR | 6.5 ft | - |
| 15 | Silver Lake | Genesee | NR | 12 ft | - |
| 16 | Round Lake | Oakland | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 17 | Long Lake | Benzie | NR | 11.5 ft | - |
| 18 | Silver Lake | Van Buren | NR | 9.5 ft | - |
| 19 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | NR | 24 ft | - |
| 20 | Round Lake | Benzie | NR | 15 ft | - |
| 21 | Silver Lake | Cheboygan | NR | 32 ft | - |
| 22 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | NR | 18 ft | - |
| 23 | Round Lake | Kent | NR | 8 ft | - |
| 24 | Sugarloaf Lake | Washtenaw | NR | 9.5 ft | - |
| 25 | Duck Lake | Muskegon | NR | 8.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have spotted gar?
Spotted Gar are found in 25 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 Silver Lake, Round Lake, Sugarloaf Lake; Lyndon Twp, Long Lake, North Pond.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.