Spotted sucker Lakes in Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan
Other SpeciesFound in 3 lakes
Spotted sucker is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 3 lakes carry documentation. Spotted sucker is narrowly distributed — only 3 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 sucker lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Spotted sucker documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Spotted sucker Lakes
Best Spotted sucker Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with spotted sucker ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muskegon Lake | Muskegon | MI | B | - | 10 |
| 2 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | B | 78 ft | 36 |
| 3 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 4 | Baldwin Lake Northwest Basin | Cass | MI | C | - | 25 |
| 5 | Baldwins Lake | Cass | MI | C | - | 33 |
| 6 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 7 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 8 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | F | 60 ft | 47 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have spotted sucker?
Spotted sucker are found in 3 graded lakes: 3 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with spotted sucker is C (Fair).
What are the best lakes for spotted sucker?
The best spotted sucker lakes by water quality are Muskegon Lake, Lake St. Croix, St. Croix Lake, Baldwin Lake Northwest Basin, Baldwins Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where spotted sucker have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with spotted sucker?
Spotted sucker are most commonly found alongside bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Spotted sucker Lakes
Found together in 5 lakes · 8 total
Found together in 5 lakes · 28 total
Found together in 5 lakes · 41 total
Found together in 5 lakes · 240 total
Found together in 5 lakes · 19 total
Found together in 5 lakes · 6 total
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.