Tadpole Madtom Fishing Guide: 23 Lakes by Water Quality

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. 23 lakes carry documentation. Tadpole Madtom is narrowly distributed — only 23 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 phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings 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 each lake's clarity, phosphorus and algae readings: lakes with low nutrient readings and Tadpole Madtom documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.

Total Lakes

Michigan lakes →

49 ft

Avg. Depth

Best Tadpole Madtom Lakes by Water Quality

Top 50 lakes with tadpole madtom, ranked on nutrient and algae readings.

Rank	Lake	County	State	Depth	Species
1	Big Star Lake	Lake	MI	-	18
2	Round Lake	Lenawee	MI	67 ft	25
3	Round Lake	Benzie	MI	-	37
4	Lower Hamlin Lake	Mason	MI	-	11
5	Round Lake	Shiawassee	MI	-	37
6	Shavehead Lake	Cass	MI	70 ft	25
7	Clark Lake	Jackson	MI	50 ft	19
8	Shavehead Lake	Cass	MI	70 ft	26
9	Cedar Lake	Alcona	MI	10 ft	22
10	Farewell Lake	Jackson	MI	43 ft	18
11	Cedar Lake	Iosco	MI	-	20
12	Resort Lake	Menominee	MI	41 ft	19
13	Jordan Lake	Barry	MI	-	23
14	Round Lake	Lenawee	MI	-	5
15	Cedar Lake	Oakland	MI	-	22
16	Round Lake	Oakland	MI	15 ft	37
17	Round Lake	Oakland	MI	-	37
18	Clark Lake	Livingston	MI	40 ft	20
19	Lake of the Woods	Branch	MI	70 ft	16
20	Round Lake	Shiawassee	MI	-	37
21	Muskegon Lake	Muskegon	MI	66 ft	10
22	Round Lake	Kent	MI	-	37
23	Donnell Lake	Cass	MI	-	26

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have tadpole madtom?

Tadpole Madtom are documented in 23 lakes: 23 in Michigan.

What are the best lakes for tadpole madtom?

The best tadpole madtom lakes by water quality are Big Star Lake, Round Lake, Round Lake, Lower Hamlin Lake, Round Lake. These lakes carry the lowest nutrient and algae readings 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 tadpole madtom, yellow perch, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, largemouth bass. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.

Other Fish Species in Tadpole Madtom Lakes

Yellow Perch Lakes

Found together in 21 lakes · 1,577 total

Bluegill Lakes

Found together in 20 lakes · 1,550 total

Bluntnose Minnow Lakes

Found together in 20 lakes · 160 total

Largemouth Bass Lakes

Found together in 19 lakes · 2,489 total

Western Banded Killifish Lakes

Found together in 18 lakes · 100 total

Johnny Darter Lakes

Found together in 17 lakes · 98 total

Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.