Tadpole madtom Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 21 lakes
Tadpole madtom is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 21 lakes carry documentation. Tadpole madtom is narrowly distributed — only 0 Minnesota lakes and 21 Wisconsin lakes 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 Tadpole madtom lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Tadpole madtom documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Tadpole madtom Lakes
Best Tadpole madtom Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with tadpole madtom ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Round Lake | Benzie | MI | A | - | 37 |
| 2 | Round Lake | Benzie | MI | A | - | 37 |
| 3 | Farewell Lake West Basin; Hanover Township | Jackson | MI | A | - | 18 |
| 4 | Lower Hamlin Lake North Central Basin South of the Narrows | Mason | MI | A | - | 11 |
| 5 | Round Lake Central Basin | Lenawee | MI | A | - | 25 |
| 6 | Farewell Lake | Jackson | MI | B | - | 18 |
| 7 | Clark Lake | Livingston | MI | B | - | 20 |
| 8 | Round Lake; Independence Township; Section 2 | Oakland | MI | B | - | 37 |
| 9 | Lake of the Woods | Branch | MI | B | - | 16 |
| 10 | Round Lake | Oakland | MI | B | - | 37 |
| 11 | Muskegon Lake | Muskegon | MI | B | - | 10 |
| 12 | Devils Lake | Lenawee | MI | B | - | 27 |
| 13 | Round Lake | Lenawee | MI | B | - | 23 |
| 14 | Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township | Lake | MI | B | - | 18 |
| 15 | Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township | Cass | MI | C | - | 25 |
| 16 | Shavehead Lake | Cass | MI | C | - | 26 |
| 17 | Cedar Lake | Alcona | MI | C | - | 22 |
| 18 | Round Lake | Mecosta | MI | C | - | 37 |
| 19 | Round Lake | Kent | MI | C | - | 37 |
| 20 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | MI | C | - | 37 |
| 21 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | MI | D | - | 37 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have tadpole madtom?
Tadpole madtom are found in 21 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 0 in Minnesota and 21 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with tadpole madtom is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for tadpole madtom?
The best tadpole madtom lakes by water quality are Round Lake, Round Lake, Farewell Lake West Basin; Hanover Township, Lower Hamlin Lake North Central Basin South of the Narrows, Round Lake Central Basin. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where tadpole madtom have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with tadpole madtom?
Tadpole madtom are most commonly found alongside yellow perch, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, johnny darter, largemouth bass. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.