Bighead Carp

Invasive SpeciesFound in 11 lakes

Bighead Carp appears on state infested-waters lists for 11 surface waters. Boaters and anglers moving gear in or out of those lakes carry a clean-drain-dry obligation under state law. 11 lakes — narrow enough that aggressive containment is still on the table. Most upper-Midwest invasives that established here did so quietly over a decade before anyone noticed, so a low number today is not a guarantee for tomorrow.

The presence of Bighead Carp does not directly change a lake's letter grade — the grade measures the water itself, not the species living in it. Invasive presence is still worth reading alongside the grade.

Total Lakes

Minnesota

Lakes with Bighead Carp

Lake	County	State	Grade	Depth
Round Lake	Jackson	MN	D	9 ft
Little Spirit Lake	Jackson	MN	D	8 ft
Clear Lake	Jackson	MN	F	9 ft
Loon Lake	Jackson	MN	F	8 ft
Pearl Lake	Jackson	MN	F	6 ft
Indian Lake	Nobles	MN	F	6 ft
Pepin Lake	Pepin	MN	NR	60 ft
Spring Lake	Dakota	MN	NR	17 ft
Nelson Lake	Goodhue	MN	NR	-
Robinson Lake	Wabasha	MN	NR	-
Grey Cloud Slough Lake	Washington	MN	NR	-

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have bighead carp?

Bighead Carp has been documented in 11 graded lakes: 11 in Minnesota.

Does bighead carp affect water quality?

Invasive species can significantly affect lake ecosystems. They may alter nutrient cycling, displace native species, and change water clarity. Lakes with bighead carp should be monitored for changes in water quality over time.

Invasives Found With Bighead Carp

Silver Carp

Co-occurs in 11 lakes · 11 total

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Co-occurs in 5 lakes · 849 total

Zebra Mussel

Co-occurs in 5 lakes · 667 total

Flowering Rush

Co-occurs in 4 lakes · 57 total

Grass Carp

Co-occurs in 4 lakes · 13 total

Blue Catfish

Co-occurs in 1 lake · 1 total

More on invasive species and lake health

Zebra Mussel Spread: How Many Lakes Are Affected?

Zebra mussel counts from the lakes LakeQuality grades, the counties that show up most often, and the Clean, Drain, Dry rules that still matter.

Lake Water Quality Grades Explained: What A–F Means

How lakes are graded A–F on nutrients and algae using EPA ecoregion condition classes, what each letter means in the water, and why an A is not a clearance.

What to Check Before Buying Lakefront Property

Before you buy lakefront, check the water: clarity trend, nutrient impairment, algae advisories, invasive species, and depth — a data-backed checklist.

Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.