Tadpole Madtom Lakes in Michigan
Found in 19 Michigan 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. 19 lakes carry documentation. Tadpole Madtom is narrowly distributed — only 19 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 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.
Tadpole Madtom Lakes Map
Every Michigan lake with documented tadpole madtom, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Tadpole Madtom Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township | Lake | A | 8 ft | - |
| 2 | Farewell Lake West Basin; Hanover Township | Jackson | A | 11.8 ft | - |
| 3 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | 15 ft | - |
| 4 | Round Lake Central Basin | Lenawee | A | 12 ft | - |
| 5 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | D | 6 ft | - |
| 6 | Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township | Cass | NR | 7 ft | - |
| 7 | Shavehead Lake | Cass | NR | 7 ft | - |
| 8 | Farewell Lake | Jackson | NR | 11.5 ft | - |
| 9 | Clark Lake | Livingston | NR | 12 ft | - |
| 10 | Cedar Lake | Alcona | NR | 8 ft | - |
| 11 | Round Lake | Mecosta | NR | 8.5 ft | - |
| 12 | Lake of the Woods | Branch | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 13 | Round Lake | Shiawassee | NR | 6.5 ft | - |
| 14 | Round Lake | Oakland | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 15 | Round Lake | Benzie | NR | 15 ft | - |
| 16 | Muskegon Lake | Muskegon | NR | 10.8 ft | - |
| 17 | Devils Lake | Lenawee | NR | 10.8 ft | - |
| 18 | Round Lake | Kent | NR | 8 ft | - |
| 19 | Round Lake | Lenawee | NR | 12.5 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have tadpole madtom?
Tadpole Madtom are found in 19 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best tadpole madtom lakes in Michigan?
The best tadpole madtom lakes in Michigan by water quality are Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township, Farewell Lake West Basin; Hanover Township, Round Lake, Round Lake Central Basin, Round Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.