Spotted Sucker Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 7 graded lakes across 2 states
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. 7 lakes carry documentation. Spotted Sucker is narrowly distributed — only 4 lakes in Minnesota and 3 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 letter grades: 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 | Lake St Croix | Pierce | MN | B | 78 ft | 36 |
| 2 | Pool | Washington | MN | B | 78 ft | 36 |
| 3 | Pool of Lake St Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 4 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | NR | 60 ft | 47 |
| 5 | Muskegon Lake | Muskegon | MI | NR | - | 10 |
| 6 | Baldwin Lake Northwest Basin | Cass | MI | NR | - | 25 |
| 7 | Baldwins Lake | Cass | MI | NR | - | 33 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have spotted sucker?
Spotted Sucker are found in 7 graded lakes: 4 in Minnesota, 3 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with spotted sucker is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for spotted sucker?
The best spotted sucker lakes by water quality are Lake St Croix, Pool, Pool of Lake St Croix, Pepin Lake, Muskegon 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 4 lakes · 144 total
Found together in 4 lakes · 937 total
Found together in 4 lakes · 1,428 total
Found together in 4 lakes · 1,601 total
Found together in 4 lakes · 135 total
Found together in 4 lakes · 506 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.