Silver Carp
Invasive SpeciesFound in 11 lakes
Silver Carp is documented in 11 lakes across our dataset — 11 in Minnesota. Each state's natural-resources agency maintains an official "infested waters" roster that triggers boat-launch decontamination protocols. 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 Silver Carp 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.
Lakes with Silver Carp
| Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Spirit Lake | Jackson | MN | D | 8 ft |
| Robinson Lake | Wabasha | MN | D | - |
| Round Lake | Jackson | MN | D | 9 ft |
| Clear Lake | Jackson | MN | D | 9 ft |
| Loon Lake | Jackson | MN | F | 8 ft |
| Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | F | 60 ft |
| Spring Lake | Dakota | MN | F | 17 ft |
| Nelson Lake | Goodhue | MN | F | - |
| Pearl Lake | Jackson | MN | F | 6 ft |
| Indian Lake | Nobles | MN | F | 6 ft |
| Grey Cloud Slough Lake | Washington | MN | F | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have silver carp?
Silver Carp has been documented in 11 graded lakes: 11 in Minnesota.
Does silver 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 silver carp should be monitored for changes in water quality over time.
Invasives Found With Silver Carp
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.