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LakeQuality

Round Goby

Invasive SpeciesFound in 15 lakes

Round Goby appears on the {{stateName}} infested-waters lists for 15 surface waters. Boaters and anglers moving gear in or out of those lakes carry a clean-drain-dry obligation under state law. 15 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 LakeGrade rubric score — the grade measures the water itself, not the species inhabiting it. But invasive presence is a meaningful adjacent signal worth reading alongside the grade.

15
Total Lakes
13
Minnesota
2
Wisconsin

Lakes with Round Goby

LakeCountyStateGradeDepth
Su18 LakeCookMNA-
Su19 LakeCookMNA-
Superior LakeCookMNA-
Superior LakeSt. LouisMNA-
Ls94 LakeLakeMNA-
Suseq32a LakeSt. LouisMNA-
Seq044a LakeLakeMNA-
Suseq44a LakeLakeMNA-
Seq032a LakeSt. LouisMNA-
Clark LakeDoorWIA25 ft
Little Lake DeepCookMNB-
Teal Lake DeepCookMNC-
Little Lake Butte des MortsWinnebagoWID18 ft
Little Lake InletCookMNF-
Little Lake LandingCookMNF-

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes have round goby?

Round Goby has been documented in 15 lakes, 13 in Minnesota and 2 in Wisconsin.

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.

Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.