Striped shiner Lakes in Michigan
Found in 16 Michigan lakes
Striped shiner is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 16 lakes carry documentation. 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.
Best Striped shiner Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | A | 24 ft | - |
| 2 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | A | 18 ft | - |
| 3 | Ore Lake West Basin; Hamburg Township | Livingston | A | 10 ft | - |
| 4 | Long Lake | Cass | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 5 | Portage Lake South Basin; Dexter Township | Washtenaw | B | 13 ft | - |
| 6 | Long Lake South Central Basin | Cass | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 7 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 8 | Long Lake | Benzie | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 9 | Base Line Lake Northeast Basin; Hamburg Township | Livingston | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 10 | Long Lake | Gogebic | B | 12 ft | - |
| 11 | Tamarack Lake North Basin; Hamburg Township | Livingston | C | 7 ft | - |
| 12 | Green Lake | Allegan | C | 8 ft | - |
| 13 | Green Lake Southwest Basin; Leighton Township | Allegan | C | 8 ft | - |
| 14 | Baldwin Lake Northwest Basin | Cass | C | 8 ft | - |
| 15 | Baldwins Lake | Cass | C | 8 ft | - |
| 16 | Maston Lake | Kent | C | 9 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have striped shiner?
Striped shiner are found in 16 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best striped shiner lakes in Michigan?
The best striped shiner lakes in Michigan by water quality are Long Lake, Long Lake, Ore Lake West Basin; Hamburg Township, Long Lake, Portage Lake South Basin; Dexter Township.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.