Spotted Sucker Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 4 Minnesota lakes · 3 in Michigan
Rough fish like Spotted Sucker are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 7 Minnesota lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. 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 phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings 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 each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Spotted Sucker documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Spotted Sucker Lakes Map
Every Minnesota lake with documented spotted sucker.
Best Spotted Sucker Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St Croix | Pierce | 7.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 2 | Pool | Washington | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 3 | Pool of Lake St Croix | Washington | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 4 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | 3 ft | 60 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have spotted sucker?
Spotted Sucker are found in 4 lakes in Minnesota.
What are the best spotted sucker lakes in Minnesota?
The best spotted sucker lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Lake St Croix, Pool, Pool of Lake St Croix, Pepin Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.