Round Goby
Invasive SpeciesFound in 18 lakes
Round Goby appears on state infested-waters lists for 18 surface waters. Boaters and anglers moving gear in or out of those lakes carry a clean-drain-dry obligation under state law. 18 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 Round Goby 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.
Lakes with Round Goby
| Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teal Lake Deep | Cook | MN | A | - |
| Little Lake Deep | Cook | MN | A | - |
| Lake Calumet | Cook | IL | A | - |
| Powderhorn Lake | Cook | IL | A | - |
| Clark Lake | Door | WI | B | 25 ft |
| Little Lake Butte des Morts | Winnebago | WI | D | 18 ft |
| Flatfoot Lake | Cook | IL | D | - |
| Little Lake Inlet | Cook | MN | NR | - |
| Little Lake Landing | Cook | MN | NR | - |
| Superior Lake | Cook | MN | NR | - |
| Superior Lake | St. Louis | MN | NR | - |
| Duluth Lake | St. Louis | MN | NR | - |
| Teal Lake Landing | Cook | MN | NR | - |
| Little Lake Culvert | Cook | MN | NR | - |
| Big Marsh Park Ne Lake | Cook | IL | NR | - |
| Burnham Prairie Marsh West Lake | Cook | IL | NR | - |
| Big Marsh Lake | Cook | IL | NR | - |
| Lobdell Lake West Basin; Argentine Township | Genesee | MI | NR | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have round goby?
Round Goby has been documented in 18 graded lakes: 9 in Minnesota, 6 in Illinois, 2 in Wisconsin, 1 in Michigan.
Does round goby affect water quality?
Invasive species can significantly affect lake ecosystems. They may alter nutrient cycling, displace native species, and change water clarity. Lakes with round goby should be monitored for changes in water quality over time.
Invasives Found With Round Goby
More on invasive species and lake health
Zebra mussel counts from the lakes LakeQuality grades, the counties that show up most often, and the Clean, Drain, Dry rules that still matter.
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.
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.