walleye/sauger Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 9 lakes
Rough fish like walleye/sauger are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 9 Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. walleye/sauger is narrowly distributed — only 9 Minnesota lakes and 0 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 walleye/sauger lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and walleye/sauger documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of walleye/sauger Lakes
Best walleye/sauger Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with walleye/sauger ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | B | 78 ft | 36 |
| 2 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 3 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 4 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 5 | Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 6 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 7 | St. Croix 3.5 Mi. Downstream of E Chestnut St Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 8 | St. Croix 0.3 Mi. Downstream of I Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 9 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | F | 60 ft | 47 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have walleye/sauger?
walleye/sauger are found in 9 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 9 in Minnesota and 0 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with walleye/sauger is C (Fair).
What are the best lakes for walleye/sauger?
The best walleye/sauger lakes by water quality are Lake St. Croix, St. Croix Lake, St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake, Pool of Lake St. Croix, Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where walleye/sauger have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with walleye/sauger?
walleye/sauger are most commonly found alongside bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.