Striped Shiner Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 16 graded lakes across 1 state
Rough fish like Striped Shiner are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 16 Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Striped Shiner is narrowly distributed — only 16 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 Striped Shiner lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Striped Shiner documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Striped Shiner Lakes
Best Striped Shiner Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with striped shiner ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | MI | A | - | 40 |
| 2 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | MI | A | - | 40 |
| 3 | Ore Lake West Basin; Hamburg Township | Livingston | MI | A | - | 14 |
| 4 | Long Lake | Cass | MI | B | - | 25 |
| 5 | Portage Lake South Basin; Dexter Township | Washtenaw | MI | B | - | 26 |
| 6 | Long Lake South Central Basin | Cass | MI | B | - | 25 |
| 7 | Long Lake | Gogebic | MI | B | - | 40 |
| 8 | Long Lake | Benzie | MI | B | - | 40 |
| 9 | Base Line Lake Northeast Basin; Hamburg Township | Livingston | MI | B | - | 16 |
| 10 | Long Lake | Gogebic | MI | B | - | 40 |
| 11 | Tamarack Lake North Basin; Hamburg Township | Livingston | MI | C | - | 20 |
| 12 | Green Lake | Allegan | MI | C | - | 20 |
| 13 | Green Lake Southwest Basin; Leighton Township | Allegan | MI | C | - | 22 |
| 14 | Baldwin Lake Northwest Basin | Cass | MI | C | - | 25 |
| 15 | Baldwins Lake | Cass | MI | C | - | 33 |
| 16 | Maston Lake | Kent | MI | C | - | 13 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have striped shiner?
Striped Shiner are found in 16 graded lakes: 16 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with striped shiner is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for striped shiner?
The best striped shiner lakes by water quality are Long Lake, Long Lake, Ore Lake West Basin; Hamburg Township, Long Lake, Portage Lake South Basin; Dexter Township. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where striped shiner have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with striped shiner?
Striped Shiner are most commonly found alongside striped shiner, yellow perch, johnny darter, bluegill, bluntnose minnow. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Striped Shiner Lakes
Found together in 16 lakes · 1,769 total
Found together in 15 lakes · 109 total
Found together in 14 lakes · 1,692 total
Found together in 14 lakes · 171 total
Found together in 14 lakes · 45 total
Found together in 14 lakes · 131 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.