Trout-perch Lakes in Michigan
Found in 9 Michigan lakes
Rough fish like Trout-perch are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 9 Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Trout-perch is narrowly distributed — only 9 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 Trout-perch lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Trout-perch documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Trout-perch Lakes Map
Every Michigan lake with documented trout-perch, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Trout-perch Lakes in Michigan
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Otter Lake | Benzie | A | 12 ft | - |
| 2 | Lower Herring Lake East Basin; Blaire Township | Benzie | A | 16 ft | - |
| 3 | Lake Richie | Keweenaw | B | 8.3 ft | - |
| 4 | Otter Lake | Oakland | NR | 10 ft | - |
| 5 | Otter Lake | Benzie | NR | 12 ft | - |
| 6 | Lower Herring Lake | Benzie | NR | 13.8 ft | - |
| 7 | Douglas Lake | Cheboygan | NR | 12 ft | - |
| 8 | Douglas Lake | Otsego | NR | 16.5 ft | - |
| 9 | Lake Whittlesey | Keweenaw | NR | 11.6 ft | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michigan lakes have trout-perch?
Trout-perch are found in 9 lakes in Michigan. The average water quality grade of these lakes is A (Excellent).
What are the best trout-perch lakes in Michigan?
The best trout-perch lakes in Michigan by water quality are Otter Lake, Lower Herring Lake East Basin; Blaire Township, Lake Richie, Otter Lake, Otter Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.