Tiger Muskellunge Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 18 Minnesota lakes · 1 in North Dakota
Tiger Muskellunge is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 1 lakes carry documentation. Tiger Muskellunge is narrowly distributed — only 1 lakes in North Dakota 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 Tiger Muskellunge lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Tiger Muskellunge documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best Tiger Muskellunge Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elmo Lake | Washington | A | 11.1 ft | 140 ft |
| 2 | Deer Lake | Itasca | A | 13.1 ft | 121 ft |
| 3 | Moose Lake | Itasca | B | 11.5 ft | 61 ft |
| 4 | Spider Lake | Itasca | B | 10.5 ft | 36 ft |
| 5 | Crystal Lake | Dakota | C | 7 ft | 37 ft |
| 6 | Bryant Lake | Hennepin | C | 9.8 ft | 45 ft |
| 7 | Orchard Lake | Dakota | C | 5.9 ft | 33 ft |
| 8 | Crescent Lake | Cook | C | 8 ft | 28 ft |
| 9 | Clear Lake | Washington | C | 6.2 ft | 28 ft |
| 10 | Johanna Lake | Ramsey | C | 6.6 ft | 43 ft |
| 11 | Crystal Lake | Hennepin | C | 3.5 ft | 39 ft |
| 12 | Nokomis Lake | Hennepin | C | 4 ft | 33 ft |
| 13 | Weaver Lake | Hennepin | C | 5 ft | 57 ft |
| 14 | Gervais Lake | Ramsey | C | 5 ft | 41 ft |
| 15 | Keller Lake | Ramsey | C | 4.3 ft | 8 ft |
| 16 | Kohlman Lake | Ramsey | D | 3.6 ft | 9 ft |
| 17 | Upper Estuary Lake | St. Louis | D | 1.9 ft | 55 ft |
| 18 | Taft Lake | Hennepin | F | 3.3 ft | 45 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have tiger muskellunge?
Tiger Muskellunge are found in 18 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is C (Fair).
What are the best tiger muskellunge lakes in Minnesota?
The best tiger muskellunge lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Elmo Lake, Deer Lake, Moose Lake, Spider Lake, Crystal Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.